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Hon,  Samuel  Ward, 
may  27,  1725  MARCH  26,  1776. 

of  RhMe  towrj,  Mi  Merr.feer  o#  »,s  Co«»in«ni»i  Co«f 


Seventh  Day  Baptist  History 


aNfVEffStTyoniUNOfSUBRARV 

1 1 1917 


(Sotietnot  Samuel  a^ato 

of  Rhode  Island 

1725-1776 


PRINTED  FOR  THE 

Seventh  Day  Baptist  General  Conference 

BY 

THE  AMERICAN  SABBATH  TRACT  SOCIETY 
(SEVENTH  DAY  BAPTIST) 
PLAINFIELD,  NEW  JERSEY 
1907 


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PREFATORY  NOTE. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee  on  Denomi- 
national History  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  General  Conference 
at  its  annual  session  in  1903  authorized  the  Committee  to 
have  reprinted  certain  historical  literature  which  had  become 
scarce  and  difficult  of  access.  Included  in  this  literature  is 
the  accompanying  biography  of  Governor  Samuel  Ward  of 
Rhode  Island,  by  Charles  H.  Denison,  as  well  as  a memoir  by 
John  Ward,  a great-grandson  of  Governor  Ward. 

Because  of  the  prominence  of  Governor  Ward  and  his 
family  in  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Churches  of  Newport  and 
Westerly  (now  First  Hopkinton),  Rhode  Island,  it  seems 
appropriate  to  include  a brief  genealogy  of  the  Ward  family 
by  John  Ward. 

The  thanks  of  the  Committee  are  due  the  Hon.  George 
H.  Utter  of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  through  whose  courtesy 
the  reprinting  of  the  biography  by  Charles  H.  Denison  is 
rendered  possible. 

The  memoir  by  John  Ward  is  a reprint  of  The  Life  and 
Services  of  Governor  Samuel  Ward  of  Rhode  Island,  a Mem- 
ber of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1774,  1775,  and  1776.  By 
his  Great-Grandson,  John  Ward  of  New  York.  Providence, 
R.  L,  1877.  The  accompanying  portrait  is  from  this  memoir. 

The  Ward  genealogy  is  reprinted  from  A Memoir  of 
Lieut. -Colonel  Samuel  Ward,  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment, 
Army  of  the  American  Revolution ; with  a Genealogy  of  the 
Ward  Family.  By  John  Ward,  New  York,  1875. 

The  standard  biography  of  Governor  Samuel  Ward  may 
be  found  in  Spark’s  Library  of  American  Biography,  Vol. 
XIX  (New  Series,  Vol.  IX),  pp.  231-353.  By  William 
Gammell.  Boston,  1846. 

Corliss  F.  Randolph, 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Denominational  History. 

Newark,  New  Jersey,  August  i,  1907. 


363077 


CONTENTS. 

GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 

PAGE 

Memoirs— By  Charles  H.  Denison  9 

Life  and  Services — By  John  Ward  69 

Genealogy  of  the  Ward  Family  91 


i 

i 


Memoirs  of 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD 
of  Westerly,  Rhode  Island 

BY  CHARLES  H.  DENISON 


Memoirs  of 

GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD 

By  Charles  H.  Denison. 

[The  memoirs  of  Gov.  Samuel  Ward,  by  Charles  H.  Denison,  ap- 
peared in  the  Narragansett  Weekly  (Westerly,  R.  I.)  in  1859,  in  the 
issues  for  July  14,  21,  28,  Aug.  4,  ii,  18,  25,  Sept,  i,  8,  15,  22,  29.] 

During  a residence  of  fifteen  years  in  the  town  of  West- 
erly, I have  seldom  heard  the  name  of  Samuel  Ward  mentioned. 

A few  persons  among  the  rising  generation  are  aware  that  there 
was  once  a man  residing  here,  but  whence  he  came,  or  when 
he  made  his  exit  from  us,  they  cannot  tell.  It  shiall  be  my 
pleasant  task  to  give  the  reader  the  most  prominent  acts  in 
the  life  of  this  excellent  and  talented  man,  and  to  show  how 
well  he  adorned  every  station  he  was  called  upon  to  fill. 

Would  time  permit,  doubtlessly  his  ancestors  might  be 
correctly  traced  from  the  first  ‘‘Ward”  hereafter  mentioned, 
down  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch-.  And  indeed  it  is  my 
intention  to  do  so  at  some  future  period,  but  circumstances 
limit  both  time  to  search  for,  and  space  to  print,  such  a gen- 
ealogy. 

Seven  hundred  and  ten  distinguished  persons,  each  bear- 
ing but  one  name,  (surname)  accompanied  William  the  Con- 
querer  from  Normandy  to  the  Conquest  of  England,  in  1066, 
a record  of  all  whose  names  is  yet  preserved.  Among  the 
number  was  “Ward,  one  of  the  noble  captains.”  This  is 
the  earliest  period  in  which  the  name  is  found  in  English 
history;  and  the  first  which  appears  there  with  an  additional 
or  Christian  name,  was  “William  de  la  Ward,”  residing  in 
Chester,  1175.  From  1340  a succession  of  eleven  genera-  - 
tions  of  the  family  is  found  there,  in  each  of  which  the 
name  of  the  head  of  the  family  was  in  the  first,  Ralph ; in 
the  second,  Richard;  in  the  third,  John;  in  the  fourth,  John; 
in  the  fifth,  Richard ; in  the  sixth,  William ; in  the  seventh, 
Thomas ; in  the  eighth,  Thomas ; in  the  ninth,  John ; in  the 
tenth,  Richard ; in  the  eleventh,  Thomas,  who  had  sons  John 


10 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


and  William.  The  Wards  of  Yorkshire  spread  into  the  ad- 
joining counties  of  England.  Their  coat  of  arms  was  azure, 
a cross  baton,  a crest,  wolf’s  head  erased. 

Among  the  names  of  the  celebrated  Divines  called  to 
the  Oxford  Parliament  in  1641,  v/as  Samuel  Ward,  D.  D., 
Master  of  Sidney  College,  Cambridge,  England,  and  Rev. 
John  Ward.  The  first-named  afterwards  retired  to  Holland, 
and  being  a leading  “Independent,”  was  appointed  Colleague 
to  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge,  at  Rotterdam.  The  grandfather  of  Gov. 
Samuel  Ward  of  Westerly,  whose  name  was  Thomas, 
came  to  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  about  the  time  of 
the  Protectors — Cromwell’s  death.  He  represented  his 
adopted  town  at  intervals  in  both  branches  of  the  Colonial 
Legislature.  His  name  was  enrolled  in  the  list  of  freemen 
in  Portsmouth,  R.  L,  in  1655,  and  in  the  roll  of  Newport, 
the  same  year,  stands  the  name  of  Marmaduke  Ward,  and 
of  John  Ward’  in  1673,  Vv^ho  was  also  deputy  from  Ports- 
miouth  in  1699,  and  1701.  Thomas  Ward,  the  grandfather 
of  Gov.  Samuel  of  Westerly,  rose  in  1676  to  the  office  of 
assistant,  and  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1689, 
he  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  townsmen  in  the  highest 
degree. 

He  left  a second  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Amy 
Smith,  and  an  only  child,  Richard  Ward,  who  was  born  a 
few  months  before  his  father’s  death.  Richard  was  honored 
by  his  native  State  with  the  election  to  various  offices' ; was 
chosen  Attorney  General,  Secretary  of  State ; then  Deputy 
Governor;  and  finally,  in  1741  and  1742,  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Governor.  After  holding  this  office  two  years,  he 
declined  a re-election,  and  retired  to  private  life.  He  was 
extensively  engaged  in  commerce,  and  as  a private  citizen 
was  highly  honored  and  respected.  He  had  several  sons  and 
daughters,  of  whbm  Thomas,  who  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1733,  was  the  eldest;  Samuel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
the  second ; and  Henry,  afterwards  Secretary  of  State,  the 
youngest.  The  names  of  the  daughters  have  not  come  to 
my  knowledge,  although  they  afterwards  resided  with  their 
brother  in  his  mansion  at  Westerly. 

Samuel  Ward  was  born  on  the  27th  of  May,  1725? 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


II 


Newport.  He  was  not  a graduate  of  a college  or  a univer- 
sity, but  received  an  excellent  education  for  the  destination 
intended  by  his  father.  The  eldest  son  was  to  inherit  the 
name  and  estates,  and  was  sent  to  College;  the  second  son 
was  educated  for  a farmer  only,  and  the  schools  of  his  native 
town  were  deemed  sufficiently  good  to  afford  him  a suitable 
education.  But  an  ambitious  youth,  in  the  pursuit  of  knowl- 
edge is  confined  by  no  laws  of  caste  and  he  soon  acquired 
by  diligence  and  unremitting  study,  the  best  education  the 
colony  could  bestow.  By  him,  instead  of  the  eldest  son, 
was  to  be  sustained,  and  transmitted  to  posterity,  the  name 
of  the  family ; and  it  seemed  as  though  a consciousness  of 
this  fact  stimulated  him  to  exertion. 

The  society  of  Nev/port,  at  that  time,  was  adorned  by 
some  of  the  most  eminent  men  of  the  country.  It  was  dis- 
tinguished for  its  polished  manners  and  intellectual  tone. 
Dean  Berkeley  resided  there  for  several  years,  and  around 
him  and  some  other  noted  gentlemen  of  equal  attainments, 
moved  a circle  pervaded  by  refinement  and  intellectuality. 
The  house  of  Gov.  Richard  Ward  was  one  of  the  favored 
roofs  under  which  a social  club,  originated  by  Berkeley, 
occasionally  met  and  discussed  various  literary  and  philo- 
sophical questions.  Under  such  influences,  so  advantageous 
to  an  ambitious  mind,  the  boyhood  and  youth  of  Samuel 
Ward  passed,  until  i745?  when,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years, 
he  married  Anna  Ray,  a descendant  of  Simon  Ray,  of  Block 
Island,  and  settled  in  Westerly,  on  a farm  which  his  father- 
in-law  gave  his  wife  as  a dower.  His  marriage  was  solemn- 
ized in  Westerly,  and  the  record  reads  as  follows:  “Dec. 

1745*  Samuel  Ward  and  Anna  Ray  Joyned  in  Ye  bonds 
of  matrimony  by  me.  Joseph  Park.” 

Upon  the  farm  given  by  Mr.  Ward’s  father-in-law,  the 
young  couple  quietly  sat  down  to  the  duties  of  life.  But 
m settling  in  this  quiet  corner  of  the  colony,  Mr.  Ward  was 
by  no  means  deprived  of  the  advantages  of  the  society  in 
which  he  was  accustomed  to  move.  The  Narragansett  coun- 
try was  peopled  by  the  great  landed  proprietors  of  the  colony. 
The  Hazards,  the  Robinsons,  the  Champlins,  the  Babcocks, 
and  others,  were  gentlemien  of  wealth  and  refinement.  Their 


12 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


plantations  were  large  and  consequently  at  a distance  apart, 
but  the  proprietors  were  on  terms  of  intimacy,  and  invi- 
tations were  frequent  from  one  plantation  to  another.  Mr. 
Hazard,  of  South  Kingstown,  gives  a very  interesting  des- 
cription of  the  customs  and  manners  of  those  days,  which 
I copy.  He  says: 

“This  state  of  society,  supported  by  slavery,  produced 
festivities  and  dissipation,  the  natural  result  of  wealth  and 
leisure.  Excursions  to  Hartford  to  luxuriate  on  bloated 
salmon,  were  the  annual  indulgencies  of  May.  Pace  races 
on  the  beach  for  the  prize  of  a silver  tankard,  and  roasts  of 
shelled  and  scaled  fish,  were  the  social  indulgencies  of  summer, 
when  the  autumn  arrived,  the  corn  husking  festivities  com- 
menced. Invitations  were  extended  to  all  those  proprietors  who 
were  in  habits  of  family  intimacy,  and  in  return  the  invited 
guests  sent  their  slaves  to  aid  the  host  by  their  services.  Large 
numbers  would  be  gathered,  of  both  sexes,  expensive  enter- 
tainments prepared,  and  after  the  repast  the  recreation  of 
dancing  commenced,  as  every  family  was  provided  with  a 
large  hall  in  their  spacious  mansions,  and  with  natural  musi- 
cians among  their  slaves.  Gentlemen  in  their  scarlet  coats 
and  swords,  with  laced  ruffles  over  their  hands,  hair  turned 
back  from  the  forehead  and  curled  and  frizzled,  clubbed  or 
queed  behind,  highly  powdered  and  pomatumed ; small  clothes, 
silk  stockings,  and  shoes  ornamented  with  brilliant  buckles; 
and  ladies  dressed  in  brocade,  cushioned  head-dresses,  and 
high-heeled  shoes,  performed  the  formal  minuet  with  its 
thirty-six  different  positions  and  changes.  These  festivities 
would  sometimes  continue  for  days,  and  the  banquet  among 
the  land  proprietors  would,  for  a longer  or  shorter  time  be 
continued  during  the  season  of  harvest.  These  seasons  of 
hilarity  and  festivity  were  as  gratifying  to  the  slaves  as  to 
their  masters,  as  bountiful  preparations  were  made,  and  like 
amusements  were  enjoyed  by  them  in  the  large  kitchens  and 
out  houses,  the  places  of  their  residence.  A Christmas  com- 
menced the  Holy  days.  The  work  of  the  season  was  com- 
pleted, and  done  up  and  the  twelve  days  generally  devoted  to 
festive  associations.  Every  gentleman  of  estate  had  his  circle 
of  connecting  friends,  and  acquaintances,  and  they  were  in- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


13 


vited  from  one  plantation  to  another.  Every  member  of  the 
family  had  his  particular  horse  and  servant,  and  they 
rarely  rode  unattended  by  their  servant,  to  open  gates 
and  take  charge  of  the  horse.  Carriages  were  unknown, 
and  the  public  roads  were  not  so  good,  nor  so  numerous  as 
at  present.  Narragansett  has  fewer  public  roads  than  most 
parts  of  the  State.  There  were  driftways  from  one 
plantation  to  another,  and  this  inconvenient  obstruction  still 
continues. 

“The  fox  chase,  with  hounds  and  horns,  fishing  and  fowl- 
ing, were  objects  of  enchanting  recreation.  Wild  pigeons, 
partridges,  quails,  woodcock,  snipe,  squirrels,  and  rabbit  were 
nearly  as  plenty  as  leaves  upon  the  trees,  such  were  the 
amusements,  pastimes,  festivities  and  galas  of  ancient 
Narragansett.  Among  such  gentlemen,  and  in  such  com- 
pany, our  young  farmer  soon  found  himself  at  home.  Al- 
though possessed  of  moderate  taste,  the  position  of  his  father, 
as  Governor,  gave  him  an  immediate  introduction  into  this 
select  society,  and  his  own  acquirements  and  sagacity  soon 
enabled  him  to  draw  around  him  a devoted  circle  of  friends. 
He  entered  at  once  upon  the  laborious  duties  incumbent  upon 
the  management  of  a farm,  and  by  its  profits  and  those  de- 
rived from  a store,  which  every  plantation  kept,  he  soon 
amassed  a handsome  property.  He  also — as  his  father  had 
before  him — engaged  in  commerce  at  Newport  and  Ston- 
ington,  and  in  a few  years  was  as  independent  as  any  gentle- 
man in  Narragansett,  although  not  quite  as  wealthy.  Com- 
merce in  those  days  must  not  be  considered  as  insignificant 
pursuit,  for  when  we  remember  that  immense  quantities  of 
grain,  hay,  butter  and  cheese  were  shipped  to  the  West  Indies 
and  other  places,  we  shall  find  the  aggregate  swelled  to  a 
large  amount.  Some  plantations  milked  more  than  a hundred 
cows,  cut  two  hundred  loads  of  hay,  made  thirteen  thousand 
pounds  of  cheese,  besides  butter,  and  sold  off  many  fat  calves 
and  bullocks.  Rhode  Island  cheese  was  so  celebrated  that, 
abroad,  all  New  England  cheese  sold  better  by  calling  it  by  that 
name.  Cream  was  then  used  in  its  manufacture,  but  since 
the  Revolution,  in  this  vicinity,  the  skimmer  has  been  freely 
used  to  part  the  cream  and  milk — never,  we  fear  to  meet  again. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


\ H 

Samuel  Ward,  by  being  above  the  necessity  of  personal 
labor,  was  now  able  to  turn  his  attention  more  to  public 
affairs,  and  devote  his  efforts  to  the  interests  of  the  colony, 
yet  eleven  years  ihad  elapsed  since  his  marriage  before  the 
commencement  of  his  public  life.  But  the  great,  eternal  prin- 
ciples of  truth  and  justice,  and  the  aspirations  after  a higher 
liberty  than  man  had  ever  yet  possessed,  were  beginning  to 
be  felt  by  him.  He  had  resided  so  long  within  the  sound 
of  the  billovv^s  and  waves  of  the  ocean,  that  he  had  grown  in- 
sensibly like  them.  No  man  can  live  within  sight  of  that  great 
exhibition  of  God’s  power  in  the  creation,  without  imbibing 
some  of  those  feelings  of  liberty  of  Vv^hich  it  is  the  fitting  type. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  Benjamin  Franklin  passed 
through  Westerly,  on  his  trip  of  inspection  as  Postmaster 
General  of  the  colonies,  and  remained  a day  or  two  on  a visit 
at  Mr.  Ward’s.  A sister  of  Mrs.  Vv^ard — Catherine  Ray — was 
also  a visitor  there,  and  becoming  acquainted  with  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, afterwards  corresponded  with  him.  One  of  his  letters 
to  her  is  so  good,  and  as  the  incidents  occurred  at  this  time 
when  they  met  at  Mr.  Ward’s  I am  tempted  to  give  it  in 
full. 

To  Miss  Catherine  Ray,  at  Block  Island. 

Philadelphia,  4th  March,  1775. 

Dear  Katy — Your  kind  letter  of  January  20th  is  but  just 
come  to  hand,  and  I take  this  opportunity  of  acknowledging 
the  favor.  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  that  you  got 
home  safe  and  well  that  day.  I thought  too  much  was  haz- 
arded, when  I saw  you  put  of¥  to  sea  in  that  very  little  skiff, 
tossed  by  every  wave.  But  the  call  v/as  strong  and  just — 
a sick  parent.  I stood  on  the  shore  and  looked  after  you, 
till  I could  no  longer  distinguish  you,  even  with  my  glass ; 
then  returned  to  your  sister’s,  praying  for  your  safe  passage. 
Towards  evening,  all  agreed  you  must  certainly  be  arrived 
before  that  time,  the  weather  having  been  so  favorable ; which 
made  me  more  easy  and  cheerful,  for  I had  been  truly  con- 
cerned for  you.  I now  left  New  England  slowly  and  with 
great  reluctance.  Short  days’  journeys,  and  loitering  visits  on 
the  road,  for  three  or  four  weeks  manifested  my  unwillingness 
to  quit  a country  in  which  I drew  my  first  breath,  spent  my 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


15 


earliest  and  most  pleasant  days,  and  had  now  received  so  many 
marks  of  the  people’s  goodness  and  benevolence  in  the  kind 
and  affectionate  treatment  I had  everywhere  met  with.  I 
almost  forgot  I had  a home,  till  I was  more  than  half  way 
towards  it;  till  I had,  one  by  one,  parted  with  all  my  New 
England  friends,  and  was  got  into  the  western  borders  of 
Connecticut,  among  mere  strangers.  Then,  like  an  old  man, 
who,  having  buried  all  he  loved  in  the  world,  begins  to  think 
of  heaven,  I began  to  think  of  and  wish  for  home ; and,  as 
I drew  nearer,  I found  the  attraction  stronger  and  stronger. 
My  diligence  and  speed  increased  with  my  impatience.  I 
drove  on  so  violently,  and  made  such  long  stretches,  that 
a very  few  days  brought  me  to  my  own  house,  and  to  the 
arms  of  my  good  wife  and  children,  where  I remain,  thanks 
to  God,  at  present,  well  and  happy. 

Persons  subject  to  the  hyp  complain  of  the  northeast 
wind  as  increasing  their  malady.  But  since  you  promise 
to  send  me  kisses  in  that  wind,  and  I find  you  as  good  as 
your  word,  it  is  to  me  the  gayest  wind  that  blows,  and  gives 
me  the  best  spirits. 

I write  this  during  a northeast  storm  of  snow,  the  great- 
est we  have  had  this  winter.  Your  favor  come  mixed  with 
the  snowy  fleeces,  which  are  as  pure  as  your  virgin  innocence, 
white  as  your  lovely  bosom,  and — as  cold.  But  let  it  warm 
towards  some  worthy  young  man,  and  may  heaven  bless 
you  both  with  every  kind  of  happiness. 

I desired  Miss  Anna  Ward  to  send  you  over  a little  book 
I left  v/ith  her,  for  your  amusement  in  that  lonely  island. 
My  respects  to  your  good  father,  and  mother,  and  sister.  Let 
me  hear  often  of  your  welfare,  since  it  is  not  likely  I shall 
ever  again  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  Accept  mine  and 
my  wife’s  sincere  thanks  for  the  many  civilities  I receive 
from  you  and  your  relations;  and  do  me  the  justice  to 
believe  me,  dear  girl,  your  affectionate  faithful  friend,  and 
humble  servant.  B.  Franklin. 

P.  S. — My  respectful  compliments  to  your  good  brother 
Ward  and  sister;  and  to  the  agreeable  family  of  Wards  at 
Newport,  when  you  see  them.  Adieu. 


1 6 GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 

Samuel  Ward’s  first  election  to  office  where  the  scene 
of  action  was  outside  the  limits  of  his  adopted  town,  was  in 
1756,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly  as  Deputy 
from  Westerly.  There  are  some  favored  men  whom  we  occa- 
sionally meet,  whose  qualifiactions  seem  fitted  to  adorn  any 
position  they  are  called  upon  to  occupy.  They  have  a cer- 
tain faculty  or  aptitude  for  the  business  or  pursuit  they  are 
engaged  in,  and  we  imagine  they  will  do  well  in  some  other. 
But  how  we  are  astonished  when  they  grasp  with  a familiar 
hand  the  reins  of  their  new  position,  and  shed  a lustre  upon 
it  as  surprising  as  novel.  Such  was  the  effect  of  Samuel 
Ward’s  election  to  the  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island.  He  had 
shown  himself  as  an  able,  energetic  farmer,  who  was  not  con- 
tent to  dig  and  delve  in  the  same  old  furrow;  but  one  who 
had  thought  upon  and  observed  the  effect  of  Nature’s  land, 
and  profited  by  such  experience;  and  now  he  was  found  just 
as  well  qualified  for  his  new  station.  Although  but  little 
over  thirty  years  of  age,  and  probably  as  young  as  any  other 
member  of  the  House,  he  took  a leading  part  in  all  the  ques- 
tions and  debates  before  that  body,  arid  was  treated  with 
great  deference  and  respect.  The  same  effect  will  be  no- 
ticed when  he  takes  his  seat  in  the  first  Continental  Congress. 
None  but  a man  of  substantial  merit  would  have  been  so 
honored.  By  reference  to  the  schedules  of  that  day,  his  name 
may  be  seen  upon  the  most  important  standing  and  special 
committees,  and  his  election  to  the  same  office  for  three  or 
four  years  shows  that  he  lost  no  popularity  with  his  constitu- 
ents, although  the  deputies  were  elected  to  the  Assembly  twice 
each  year,  and  they  could  not  have  been  at  a loss  for  opportuni- 
ties to  reject  him,  had  he  proved  himself  unworthy. 

His  election  to  the  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  occurred 
also  at  a critical  and  embarrassing  time  for  the  colonies.  The 
governments  of  England  and  France  had  openly  declared  war, 
and  the  colonies  were  called  upon  by  the  mother  country 
to  furnish  troops  to  carry  on  the  campaign  upon  their  own 
soil.  Rhode  Island  was  required  to  raise  four  hundred  and 
fifty  troops  as  her  quota,  and  with  a promptitude  which  dis- 
tinguished her  in  the  succeeding  years  of  the  Revolution,  the 
requisite  number  was  immediately  forthcoming.  But  the  sea- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD.  1 7 

son  being  too  far  advanced  for  active  service,  they  were  dis- 
missed in  November,  with  orders  to  be  ready  to  take  the 
field  early  in  the  spring.  The  Earl  of  London  was  appointed 
to  command  the  American  troops,  and  his  arrival  in  this 
country,  in  1756,  with  a large  British  force,  to  act  in  con- 
junction with  the  colonial  army,  was  greeted  by  addresses 
from  the  several  colonies.  Mr.  Ward  was  appointed  to  pre- 
pare an  address  of  welcoiue  on  the  part  of  Rhode  Island, 
of  which,  we  regret  to  say,  no  copy  can  now  be  found.  In  the 
spring  of  1757,  the  Earl  appointed  a meeting  of  the  several 
Governors  to  confer  with  him  at  Hartford;  but  arriving  at 
no  successful  result,  another  was  called  in  the  succeeding 
winter,  in  which  meeting  Governor  William  Green,  Samuel 
Ward,  and  John  Andrews  were  appointed  to  represent  Rhode 
Island.  These  commissioners  received  instructions  from  the 
Legislature  for  their  guidance  in  the  expected  conference. 

The  instructions  were  as  follows : 

1.  To  lay  an  exact  state  of  the  colony  before  his  Lord- 
ship,  with  regard  to  its  fortifications,  cannon,  warlike  and 
military  stores,  the  number  of  inhabitants,  state  of  the  treas- 
ury, and  funds  for  supplying  the  same. 

2.  To  beg  his  lordship  to  lay  the  defenceless  condition 
of  the  colony  before  his  majesty  in  the  most  favorable  light. 

3.  To  request  his  lordship  to  make  the  colony  such  an 
allowance  for  the  provisions  and  military  stores  furnished  by 
this  colony  for  the  two  years,  as  will  correspond  with  his 
Majesty’s  gracious  intentions,  signified  unto  us  by  his  Secre- 
tary of  State. 

4.  To  request  that  the  forces  raised  by  this  colony 
may  be  under  their  own  officers,  and  no  others,  except  the 
commander-in-chief.  To  these  four  was  added  another  pri- 
vate instruction,  which  was  not  to  be  forgotten  in  the  con- 
tract for  furnishing  troops,  and  which  was  in  these  words: 
And  as  to  what  aid  or  number  of  men  you  are  empowered 
by  virtue  of  your  commission  to  furnish  his  lordship  with, 
on  the  part  of  this  colony,  towards  the  ensuing  campaign, 
you  may  agree  to  raise  one-fourteenth  part  of  the  number 
that  shall  be  raised  by  the  New  England  colonies ; but,  if 


i8 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


that  proportion  cannot  be  obtained,  you  are  then  to  agree  to 
such  other  proportion  as  shall  appear  to  you  just  and  equitable. 

The  weight  of  this  arduous  and  difficult  commission  fell 
upon  Samuel  Ward.  Gov.  Greene  was  detained  at  home  by 
sickness ; and,  if  Mr.  Andrews  was  present,  his  modesty,  or 
some  other  cause,  prevented  his  performing  his  part  of  the 
labor.  Upon  the  return  of  the  commission,  Mr.  Ward  made 
a report,  which  was  entered  at  length  upon  the  records,  in 
which  he  informs  the  Assembly,  that  the  proposition  of  the 
Rhode  Island  delegates  was  rejected  by  his  lordship,  and  that 
they  accordingly  waived  it,  and  accepted  the  terms  upon  which 
he  insisted.  But  his  lordship  assured  them  that  no  difficulties 
should  arise  between  the  troops  and  their  officers,  as  he  would 
take  those  from  Rhode  Island  under  his  own  command. 
The  report  was  accepted  and  the  men,  whose  levy  the  com- 
mittee had  promised,  were  ordered  to  be  raised  the  following 
summer.  It  is  not  the  province  of  this  sketch  to  chronicle 
their  acts  of  valor,  or  show  the  insufficiency  of  their  com- 
mander— both  are  found  on  the  page  of  history.  We  now 
approach  a period  in  the  history  of  Rhode  Island  which  is 
celebrated  for  party  animosities,  and,  until  within  a few  years, 
distinguished  for  being  the  only  time  when  they  increased 
to  such  an  alarming  and  extraordinary  extent.  As  Mr.  Ward 
was  the  acknowledged  leader  of  one  party  in  this  controversy, 
an  omission  of  it  would  leave  a history  of  his  own  life  unfinished 
and  unsatisfactory.  Some  men  affirm — without  evidence  I 
think — that  “from  the  first  settlement  of  Rhode  Island  there 
existed  a jealousy  between  the  southern  and  northern  counties 
of  the  colony.’’  But  is  it  not  unfair  to  include  in  this  asser- 
tion the  entire  colony?  That  a jealousy  did  arise  between 
Newport,  the  ancient  capital,  and  Providence,  the  most  flourish- 
ing town,  is  asserted  with  more  consistency.  When 
the  latter,  from  its  superior  advantages,  began  to  increase  in 
wealth  and  importance,  a rivalry  sprung  up  between  the  cities, 
similar  to  that  now  existing  between  two  other  cities  of  our 
Union.  This  appears  to  be  the  only  cause  for  such  an  ex- 
pression, that,  “from  the  first  settlement,”  a jealousy  between 
the  two  opposite  portions  of  the  colony  existed.  It  is  not 
strange  that  from  these  two  rival  towns  the  feeling  in  time 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


19 


should  extend  throughout  the  entire  colony.  These  differences, 
probably,  were  increased  and  augmented  by  the  arts  of  the 
office-holders  or  those  hungry  expectants  who,  being  out  of 
office,  desired  a new  administration,  solely  because  they  hoped 
to  reap  some  benefit  by  the  change.  Another  cause  is  said  to 
have  assisted  in  a powerful  manner  to  extend  this  rivalry, 
and  increase  the  acrimonious  feeling  between  the  parties.  About 
forty  years  previous  the  Assembly  emitted  bills  of  credit  to  the 
amount  of  five  of  six  thousand  pounds,  and  at  intervals  had 
increased  that  emission,  until,  upon  (every  occasion  when 
funds  were  wanted  to  carry  on  the  government,  a new  issue 
was  ordered.  To  the  commercial  interests,  this  manner  of 
creating  new  debts,  and  postponing  old  ones,  was  ruinous ; 
and  indeed,  to  the  entire  community  it  was  a great  disad- 
vantage— a fact  so  well  known  at  this  day  as  to  need  no 
argument.  But  to  the  reckless,  and  profligate,  and  to  the 
people  of  nearly  all  classes,  plenty  of  money  was  supposed  to 
secure  to  its  possessor  that  happiness  so  ardently  longed  for, 
but  never  found.  Even  now,  at  the  expiration  of  a century, 
it  is  still  believed  by  the  majority  of  people  to  be  the  one  thing 
needful ; and  to  obtain  it,  they  will  make  sacrifice  and  incur 
any  danger.  God  be  praised,  there  is  a brighter  day  dawning, 
when  a man’s  worth  will  be  reckoned  by  the  depth  of  his 
intellect,  instead  of  the  depth  of  his  purse. 

The  lesser  agriculturists  of  the  colony,  and  the  laboring 
people  generally,  were  enraptured  by  the  idea  of  high  prices, 
and  a surplus  of  money — however  obtained — imagining  them 
to  be  the  greatest  blessings ; and  at  the  head  of  this  party, 
supported  by  many  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Providence  and 
Newport,  stood  Stephen  Hopkins,  a gentleman  of  sterling 
worth  and  integrity — a sight  of  whose  picture  among  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  standing  un- 
covered, always  in  my  childhood  impressed  me  with  awe — • 
and  a man  of  superior  courage  and  unbending  determination. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  merchants  and  great  landed  proprie- 
tors, or  what  was  called  the  aristocratic  portion  of  the  com- 
munity, were  opposed  to  further  emission  of  bills  of  credit, 
believing  that  postponing  the  day  of  redemption,  and  issuing 


20 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


more,  would  lead  to  greater  extravagance  in  the  affairs  of 
the  government,  until  extrication  would  be  impossible  without 
bankruptcy.  The  acknowledged  leader  of  this  party  was  Sam- 
uel Ward,  of  Westerly — a man  who  had  been  found  able  in 
debate,  and  not  to  be  deterred  from  pursuing  whatever  course 
he  supposed  to  be  just  and  right,  by  fear  of  any  earthly  con- 
sequences to  himself  or  his  party.  Such  a man,  wherever 
found,  and  upon  whichsoever  side  in  politics,  will  always  com- 
mand the  admiration  of  his  fellows.  Before  the  nomination 
of  Mr.  Ward  to  the  office  of  Governor,  and  under  the  mag- 
istracy of  Governor  William  Greene,  this  party  strife  had 
shown  itself,  and  Gov.  Greene  and  Stephen  Hopkins  were 
arrayed  against  each  other  at  the  head  of  the  respective  parties. 

This  was  in  1757.  Gov.  Hopkins,  at  that  tim.e,  published 
an  address  to  the  freemen  of  the  colony,  in  v/hich  he  took 
occasion  to  reflect  severely  upon  the  General  Assembly,  which 
had  always,  he  said,  acted  in  opposition  to  his  administration. 
Mr.  Ward  being  at  that  time  a member  of  the  Assembly, 
took  it  upon  himself  to  defend  that  body  from  such  aspersious 
He  reviewed  the  administration  of  Mr.  Hopkins  and  showed 
the  impropriety  of  many  of  his  official  acts,  especially  amni- 
verting  upon  those  which  he  himself  believed  to  be  wrong, 
and  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  law  and  the  interests  of  the 
Colony.  This  act  of  Mr.  Ward  gave  great  offense  to  Gov 
Hopkins,  and  he  immediately  commenced  a suit  at  law  in 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  slander.  This  court  having 
jurisdiction  in  the  county  of  Providence,  where  Mr.  Hopkins 
resided,  and  being  the  stronghold  of  the  party  adverse  to  Mr. 
Ward,  the  latter  petitioned  to  have  the  case  removed  to  some 
other  county.  The  petition  was  granted,  but  the  suit  was 
discontinued  until  the  rising  of  the  General  Assembly,  when 
another  was  commenced  by  the  plaintiff  of  the  same  county. 

As  might  be  expected,  this  case  excited  much  interest, 
each  party  desiring  the  success  of  its  leader;  and  so  uncom- 
mon was  the  civil  action,  and  so  novel  the  situation  of  the 
parties,  that  attention  was  drawn  to  it  within  the  adjoining 
jurisdictions  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  It  was  finally 
agreed  between  the  litigants,  that  the  case  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  Worcester,  Mass.,  which  would  be  beyond  the  lim- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


21 


its  of  the  colony,  and  where  the  defendant  supposed  he  could 
have  a fair  trial,  and  obtain  an  unbiased  decision. 

The  trial  came,  in  1759,  and  Mr.  Ward  was  present  with 
his  counsel  and  witnesses ; but  Governor  Hopkins  did  not 
appear,  and  his  case  consequently  went  by  default.  He 
doubtless  saw  that  he  had  been  betrayed  into  an  impropriety, 
in  taking  notice  of  remarks  made  upon  his  public  acts,  and  it 
may  be  that  a doubt  of  final  success  caused  him  to  relinquish 
his  prosecution.  That  was  the  last  of  it. 

But  if  he  was  worsted  in  the  civil,  he  by  no  means  gave 
up  in  the  political  struggle.  He  and  Mr.  Ward  were  now  the 
candidates  for  the  chief  magistracy,  and  the  bitterness  of 
party  spirit,  now  increased  by  the  recent  attempt  to  punish 
one  favorite,  v/axed  stronger  and  stronger  every  day.  The 
elections  for  officers  of  State  were  then  held  at  Newport, 
where  the  people  assembled  annually  to  vote  for  the  chief 
magistrate  and  his  assistants ; and  those  who  could  not  attend, 
were  allowed  to  send  their  votes  by  their  friends,  who  de- 
posited them  in  the  ballot  box.  This  was  called  voting  by 
proxy. 

At  the  timie  of  which  we  write,  the  population  of  the 
colony  had  increased,  so  that  “election  day”  found  an  immense 
multitude  assembled  at  Newport,  to  deposit  their  votes,  and 
witness  the  success  or  defeat  of  their  respective  candidates. 
As  may  be  imagined,  such  a contact  of  human  passions 
brought  an  attendant  train  of  evils. 

The  scenes  were  sometimes  of  the  most  disgraceful  kind, 
and  only  equalled  by  som.e  of  the  elections  of  New  York  City 
in  our  day.  Fists  were  used  freely,  and  when  not  conclusive, 
canes  and  swords  were  resorted  to,  as  a means  of  enforcing 
the  arguments  of  the  disputants.  But  when  the  proclamation 
was  made  in  the  public  square,  before  the  assemblage,  of  the 
name  of  the  successful  candidate — which  practice  is  still  kept 
up — then  the  trium.phant  shouts  of  the  friends  of  the  Gov- 
ernor-elect amounted  almost  to  frenzy ; and  the  defeated  party, 
stung  to  the  quick,  enraged  beyond  the  bounds  of  human 
endurance  by  the  taunts  of  their  opponents,  grappled  and 
fought  like  demons.  Then  it  was  that  bloody  noses  and 


22 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


blackened  eyes  became  plentier  than  before — 

“And  broken  arms  and  disarray 
Marked  the  full  havoc  of  the  day.” 

To  put  an  end  to  these  disgraceful  riots — for  they  can  be 
called  nothing  else — the  General  Assembly  passed  a law,  in 
1790,  providing  places  in  each  town  where  the  people  could 
assemble  and  deposit  their  votes,  and  allowing  only  members 
of  their  own  body  to  vote  at  Newport  for  Governor.  Al- 
though it  prevented  a repetition  of  the  disgraceful  scenes 
of  “election  day,”  it  allayed  not  in  the  least  the  bitterness  of 
the  party  strife. 

In  his  first  efiort  as  candidate  for  Governor,  in  1761, 
Mr.  Ward  was  defeated  by  Mr.  Hopkins,  but  he  was  the  same 
year  appointed  to  the  office  of  Chief  Justice,  which  he  occu- 
pied until  the  succeeding  spring,  w'hen  he  was  again  a candi- 
date for  the  gubernatorial  chair,  and  was  declared  to  be 
successful.  The  struggle  was  severe,  and  the  parties  said  to 
have  been  equally  divided.  He  removed  to  Nev/port  in  May, 
Vv'here  he  resided  during  his  term  of  office ; and  the  next  elec- 
tion resulting  in  favor  of  Governor  Hopkins,  he  returned  to 
his  home  and  plough  in  Westerly,  where  he  remained  in  peace 
and  quietness  until  summoned  to  the  strife  again  in  1765. 
Before  the  commencement  of  the  annual  election,  in  1765, 
Governor  Ward  addressed  a letter  to  the  friends  of  Governor 
Hopkins,  repeating  a proposition  made  by  him  two  years 
previous,  offering  to  resign  his  pretensions  to  the  office  of 
Governor  if  his  antagonist  would  also  retire.  The  same  day, 
without  knowledge  of  this  letter,  some  friends  of  Governor 
Hopkins  addressed  a letter  to  Governor  Ward,  stating  that 
the  office  of  Deputy  Governor  was  vacant,  and  desiring  his 
acceptance  of  it  with  a view  to  putting  an  end  to  the  unhappy 
divisions  and  disputes.  This  proposition  from  Mr.  Ward  that 
Governor  Hopkins  and  himself  should  resign  their  preten- 
sions of  the  chief  magistracy,  and  the  invitation  of  Governor 
Hopkins,  tendering  him  the  office  of  Deputy  Governor,  were 
both  respectfully  declined  by  their  recipients.  As  well  might 
two  suns  exist  in  one  hemisphere,  as  Samuel  Ward  and  Ste- 
phen Hopkins  occupying  the  offices  of  Governor  and  Deputy 
Governor;  “especially,”  said  the  friends  of  Mr.  Ward,  “when 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD.  23 

he  had  already  received,  and  could  again  obtain,  the  highest 
office  in  the  gift  of  the  people.” 

The  election  came  on,  and  contrary  to  the  expectations 
of  Mr.  Ward’s  opponents,  resulted  in  the  election  of  that 
gentleman  to  the  magistracy,  and  he  accordingly  moved  to 
Newport  again — where,  being  retained  in  the  same  office  in 
the  succeeding  year — he  continued  to  reside  for  two  years. 

At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  in  the  spring  of  1767, 
another  attempt  was  made  to  reconcile  the  parties,  which  re- 
sulted in  a failure,  as  before.  Some  of  the  friends  of  Mr. 
Ward,  having  listened  to  the  misrepresentations  of  his  ene- 
mies in  regard  to  the  concession  made  by  him  to  Governor 
Hopkins,  the  former  caused  their  correspondence  to  be  printed 
and  circulated  throughout  the  colony.  One  of  those  old  sheets 
lies  before  me,  and  is  as  follows : 

Newport,  April  7th,  1767. 

To  enable  the  freemen  of  this  Colony  to  form  a true  judg- 
ment of  the  proposals  which  have  passed  between  the  two 
parties,  and  to  put  a stop  to  misrepresentations  of  designing 
people,  the  following  true  copies  of  the  proposals,  and  the 
answers  made  to  them,  are  published. 

Samuel  Ward. 

To  THE  Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins,  Esq.  : 

Sir — To  put  an  end  to  the  unhappy  contentions  which 
have  so  long  divided  this  Colony,  and  been  attended  by  so 
many  fatal  consequences ; and  to  restore  peace  and  good 
order,  are  objects  worthy  the  attention  of  every  well  wisher 
to  the  public. 

Nothing,  in  our  opinion,  will  have  a greater  tendency 
to  effect  this  most  valuable  purpose  than  a coalition  of  the 
two  parties ; and  sincerely  desirous  to  pursue  every  measure 
in  our  power  to  promote  it,  we  take  liberty  to  propose  that 
the  Upper  House  of  the  Assembly,  for  the  ensuing  year, 
be  equally  divided  between  the  two  parties,  in  the  following 
manner,  to-wit:  That  we,  with  our  friends,  have  the  nomina- 
tion of  the  Governor;  that  you,  sir,  with  your  friends,  shall 
have  the  nomination  of  the  Deputy  Governor,  and  in  the  same 
manner,  alternately,  throughout  all  the  members  of  the  Upper 
House ; and  that  the  other  General  Officers  for  the  ensuing 


24 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


year,  remain  as  they  are  at  present.  If  this  proposal  shall 
be  acceded  to,  we  have  no  doubt  but  suitable  persons  will 
be  appointed  on  your  side  of  the  question,  and  we  do  (with 
the  consent  of  our  friends),  engage  to  use  our  influence  that 
all  persons  nominated  be  elected. 

Upon  this  plan  (which  will  remove  the  principal  cause 
of  the  v/arm  contentions  in  this  colony),  only  one  Prox  will 
be  printed,  and  therefore  it  will  be  necessary  that  we  should 
receive  seasonable  information  of  your  agreeing  to  the  pro- 
posal, and  of  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  who  shall  be  pitched 
upon  your  side  of  the  question.  Between  this  and  the  six- 
teenth of  next  month,  you  will  have  sufficient  time  to  take 
advice  of  }^our  friends ; at  which  tim_e  we  expect  to  be  favored 
with  your  resolutions. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants, 

Elisha  - Brown, 

Nicholas  Easton, 

Gideon  Wanton,  Jr., 
Thomas  Owen, 

Stephen  Rawson, 

John  Jepson, 

John  Burton, 

Nath.  Searle, 

Hezekiah  Babcock, 
Othniel  Gorton. 

P-  S. — If  Joseph  Arnold,  Esq.,  had  been  present,  we  have 
no  doubt  but  he  would  have  subscribed  the  proposal  with 
pleasure,  and  we  engage  for  him,  that  he  will  join  in  the 
agreement  heartily. 

To  THE  Hon.  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.  : 

Providence,  March  13,  1767. 

Sir : — The  foregoing  is  a copy  of  a letter  I received 
from  the  present  Deputy  Governor  and  Assistants  of  this 
Colony,  as  a Proposition  for  uniting  Parties,  and  settling 
Peace  in  it;  but  whether  your  Honor  was  made  privy,  and 
consented  to  these  Terms,  I am  not  informed.  To  the  Propo- 
sition made  as  above,  I return  this  Answer.  That  I and  my 
Friends  will  agree  to  it  on  Condition  that  you  also  retire; 
and  your  Friends  nominate  some  other  person  for  Governor, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


25  V" 


in  Newport  or  elsev/here,  as  they  think  best.  Some  of  my 
Friends,  appointed  to  that  purpose,  will  wait  upon  your  Honor, 
to  receive  your  Answer. 

This  Proposal  will  be  directly  communicated  to  Mr. 
Brown,  the  Deputy  Governor. 

I am.  Sir,  your  humble  servant, 

Steph.  Hopkins. 

Hon.  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.  : 

Providence,  March  13,  1767. 

Sir: — Governor  Hopkins  having  communicated  unto  his 
Friends  here  in  Providence,  some  Proposals  he  received  from 
the  Deputy  Governor  and  Magistrates  of  the  Golony,  for 
establishing  Peace  and  Harmony  at  the  next  General  Elec- 
tion ; and  as  great  care  has  been  taken  to  consult  with  and 
collect  the  Sentiments  of  our  Friends,  on  such  an  important 
Affair,  we,  who  are  appointed  a Committee  for  that  Purpose, 
beg  leave  to  communicate  to  your  Honor,  what  you  may 
relie  upon  to  be  the  unanimous  opinion  and  Determination 
of  them ; and  which  your  Honor  Vvdll  find  in  the  following 
Order,  viz. : That  it  is  their  Opinion — That  Mr.  Hopkins  has, 
from  his  first  A-ppointiuent,  when  chosen,  filled  the  seat  of 
Government  with  Honor,  Capacity  and  Integrity. 

That  there  is  no  other  gentleman  in  the  Colony,  without 
reflection  on  anyone,  that  they  think  can  and  will  discharge 
the  duty  of  Governor  better  than  that  Gentleman. 

That  Mr.  Hopkin’s  Friends  and  Adherents  are  as  num- 
erous, and  are  Persons  of  as  much  Capacity,  Probity  and  In- 
terest as  those  of  Mr.  Ward’s  Friends. 

That  Mr.  Hopkin’s  Friends  have  at  least  as  good  Pre- 
tensions to  the  Nomination  of  Governor  as  Mr.  Ward’s  Friends. 

That  the  spirit  of  Faction  does  so  prevail  in  the  colony, 
that  there  is  scarcely  the  appearance  of  Government  remain- 
ing, there  being  but  little  Security  for  either  Life,  Character, 
or  Estate,  but  Anarchy  growing  more  visible  every  Day. 

That,  to  remedy  so  great  an  evil,  the  cool,  impartial  and 
disinterested  Attention  and  execution  of  every  good  Man 
and  well-wisher  to  his  country,  of  both  parties  in  the  Colony, 
is  absolutely  necessary. 

That,  to  effect  so  salutary  a Design,  ’tis  proposed  that  both 


26 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


parties  form  a Coalition  on  as  equal  Terms  as  possible;  Care 
being"  taken  that  the  Basis  thereof  be  firm  and  permanent, 
otherwise  after  all  our  Endeavors  we  shall  find  ourselves  in 
as  bad  a situation  as  before. 

That  in  order  to  effect  such  a Coalition,  ’tis  their  Opinion, 
that  both  Mr.  Hopkins  and  Mr.  Ward,  the  Heads  of  the  two 
contending  Parties  in  the  Colony,  do  resign  and  give  up  their 
Pretensions  as  Candidates  for  Chief  Magistrate  of  Governor. 

That  if  Mr.  Ward  and  his  Friends  agree  thereto,  they 
will  engage  for  Mr.  Hopkins  and  his  Friends,  that  they  do 
the  same.  If  this  is  not  agreed  to,  all  future  Negotiations 
will  be  unnecessary.  ^ But  if  that  is  assented  to,  then  they 
are  willing  to  agree  that  General  Officers  are  divided  as 
equally  as  possible  between  the  two  Parties ; and  though 
Mr.  Hopkins  and  His  Friends  claim  an  equal  Right  to  the 
nomination  of  Governor-in-Chief,  with  Mr.  Ward  and  his 
Friends,  yet,  for  the  sake  of  Peace,  and  preventing  impending 
Ruin,  they  agree  that  Mr.  Ward  and  his  Friends  shall  have 
the  nomination  of  Governor-in-Chief,  and  that  he  may  reside 
in  Newport,  or  elsewhere;  and  that  Mr.  Hopkins  and  his 
Friends  nominate  a Deputy  Governor  in  the  Town  of  Provi- 
dence, or  elsewhere ; that  the  Magistrates  be  alternately  nom- 
inated by  Mr.  Ward  and  his  Friends,  and  Mr.  Hopkins  and 
his  Friends,  and  that  other  General  Officers  stand  as  at  present. 

Sir ; — Though  some  of  the  foregoing  is  not  absolutely 
necessary  in  a Treaty  of  this  sort,  yet,  that  justice  may  be  done 
to  Mr.  Hopkins,  and  also  that  you  and  your  Friends  may  be 
thoroughly  apprized  of  the  Disposition  of  Mr.  Hopkins’ 
Friends,  and  the  Motives,  from  which  they  act  on  this  emer- 
gency, we  apprehend  it  will  not  be  thought  superfluous. 

Your  Honor  is  so  well  acquainted  with  the  perplexed 
Circumstances  of  this  Colony,  and  the  causes  from  whence 
they  chiefly  originate,  that  if  you  will  calmly  consult  the 
Public  Weal,  or  your  own  Honor  and  Quiet,  we  make  no 
Doubt  but  that  you  will  cheerfully  accede  to  our  Proposals ; 
which,  if  you  should  do,  we  rely  upon  it  that  some  Gentleman 
will  be  nominated  by  you  and  your  Friends  for  a Governor, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


27 


who  will  discharge  that  important  trust  with  Honor  and  Gen- 
eral Approbation.  We  are,  sir, 

Your  obedient  humble  servants, 

Daniel  Jenckes, 
Darius  Sessions, 
Joseph  Russell, 

Tho.  Green, 

Eppiraim  Bowen, 

Benj.  Cushing, 

Nathan  Angel, 

Jos.  Nash, 

Moses  Brown. 

Newport,  March  25th,  1767. 
Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins,  Esq.  : 

Sir: — In  answer  to  your  Honor’s  Letter  of  the  13th  of 
March,  I am  now  to  acquaint  you,  that  the  opinion  of  my 
Friends  hath  been  generally  taken,  and  they  have  univer- 
sally given  it,  that  the  Proposals  made  by  you,  and  a Com- 
mittee of  your  Friends  ought  by  no  means  to  be  acceded  to. 
Their  sentimients  upon  this  subject  your  Honor  will  find  very 
fully  expressed  in  the  Letter  to  Mr.  Jenckes  and  the  other 
Gentlemen,  from  a Committee  of  my  Friends. 

Sincerely  disposed  as  I was  to  retire  from  the  Chief  Seat  of 
Government,  I could  not  prevail  upon  myself  to  desert  all  my 
Friends,  and,  in  their  Opinion,  the  Interest  of  the  Colony. 
I am.  Sir,  your  Honor’s  most  humble  servant, 

Samuel  Ward. 

Newport,  March  25,  1767. 

To  Daniel  Jenckes,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Mr. 

Hopkins’  Friends. 

Gentlemen : — His  Honor  the  Governor  hath  communi- 
cated your  Letter  to  us.  We  have  maturely  weighed  the  sev- 
eral Proposals  which  have  passed  upon ' this  Occasion,  and 
are  of  the  Opinion,  that  those  made  by  his  Honor  the  Deputy 
Governor  and  the  Assistants,  were  fair,  open,  generous.  They 
give  in  fact,  a Majority  of  the  Upper  House  to  Mr.  Hopkins’ 
Friends ; they  neither  pointed  at  nor  excluded  any  Gentleman 
Whatever,  and  Contained  no  Reflection  upon  any  Person  or 


28 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


Party,  and  if  acceded  to,  might  have  had  a great  Tendency 
to  promote  Peace  and  Good  Order  in  the  Government. 

on,  Gentlemien,  in  your  Letter,  have  made  a different 
set  of  Proposals,  which  you  tell  us  may  be  relied  upon  as  the 
Unanimous  Opinion  and  Determination  of  Mr.  Hopkins’ 
Friends.  We  were  surprised  to  find  a Proposal  from  }'-ou, 
for  uniting  Parties,  and  settling  Peace  in  the  Golony,  con- 
ceived in  such  terms  as  to  render  tliem  utterly  inadmissable. 
They  are  introduced  by  the  most  lavish  Encomiiums  upon  Mr. 
Hopkins,  by  Gomparisons  (which  are  always  odious)  between 
the  Numbers,  Capacit}^,  Probity  and  Interest  of  his  Friends, 
and  those  of  Mr.  ¥/ard,  and  with  this  opprobrious  Assertion 
“That  tlie  Spirit  of  Faction  does  so  prevail  in  the  Golony, 
that  there  is  scarcety  the  Appearance  of  Governmient  remain- 
ing ; there  being  but  little  Security  for  either  Life,  Character, 
or  Estate,  but  Anarchy  growing  more  visible  every  Day.” 

T ou  must  be  sensible.  Gentlemen,  that  a very  great  part 
of  the  Colony  always,  and  for  the  Two  last  years,  a large 
majority  of  the  Freemen  have  entertained  a different  Opinion 
of  Mr.  Llopkins ; and  therefore  the  expressions  made  use  of, 
with  respect  to  that  Gentleman,  must  be  looked  upon  as  a 
Reflection  upon  those  who  have  opposed  him.  Affter  the 
Character  given  of  Mr.  Hopkins,  follows  the  assertion  above 
quoted,  which,  considered  in  its  Connection  with  the  fore- 
going Resolves,  in  our  Opinion,  contains  the  grossest  Reflec- 
tion upon  the  present  Administration,  and,  indeed,  upon  the 
whole  Colony,  representing  them  as  a lawless  Herd,  with 
but  little  security  for  Life,  Character  of  Estate. 

Considered  in  this  Light  only,  those  Persons  who  have 
opposed  Mr.  Hopkins  and  supported  Mr.  Ward,  must  for 
ever  be  justifled  in  refusing  to  comply  with  Proposals  made 
in  such  Terms. 

We  are  neither  disposed  to  abuse  the  Reputation  of  Mr. 
Hopkins,  nor  to  offer  Incense  to  Mr.  Ward;  but  this  justice 
constrains  us  to  say,  that  the  Capacity  of  Mr.  Ward  hath 
never  been  called  in  Question ; that  he  hath  served  the  Gov- 
ernment with  Fidelity  and  Honor ; and  that  his  Administra- 
tion hath  been  so  equal  and  disinterested  that  the  Colony  will 
find  its  Interest  and  be  happy  in  continuing  him  in  the  Chair. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


29 


Upon  the  whole,  Gentlemen,  the  Opinion  of  Mr.  Ward’s 
Friends  universally  is  not  to  accede  to  your  Proposal. 

We  heartily  lament  our  unhappy  Divisions,  and  sincerely 
wish  to  see  the  Wisdom  and  Virtue  of  the  Colony  united 
in  promoting  its  best  Interest,  and  are.  Gentlemen,  your  most 
humble  Servants,  Gideon  Wanton, 

Abraham  Redwood, 

John  Tellinghast, 

Metcalf  Bowler, 

Joseph  Tellinghast, 
Nathaniel  Coggshall, 
John  Tweedy, 

Robert  Stevens, 

Edward  Thurston,  Jr. 

This  third  attempt  at  the  settlement  of  the  party  feud 
ended  like  all  the  previous  trials.  But  the  result  of  election 
was  disastrous  to  the  Ward  party  for  Governor  Hopkins  was 
this  time  chosen  by  an  increased  majority  over  his  opponent. 

This  was  the  last  election  where  these  gentlemen  stood 
in  opposition  to  each  other  and  from  the  extreme  virulence 
with  which  it  was  conducted  all  good  men  saw  it  was  time 
such  proceedings  should  cease.  At  the  usual  period  therefore, 
when  arrangements  were  wont  to  be  made  for  the  annual 
election  Governor  Hopkins  proposed  a reconciliation  of  about 
the  same  nature  as  that  offered  by  Governor  Ward  the  previous 
year.  The  proposals  were  immediately  accepted  by  Mr.  Ward’s 
Friends,  and  a council  of  the  tv/o  Governors  was  held  at 
Providence  and  afterwards  at  Newport,  where  a treaty  of 
peace  and  amity  was  concluded.  They  agreed  to  form  an 
administration  from  both  parties  which  should  conduct  the 
affairs  of  the  colony  upon  a conservative  plan  and  to  vie 
with  each  other  in  promoting  harmony  among  their  respective 
followers.  Eac'h  sacredly  adhered  to  the  terms  of  this  com- 
pact and  became  fast  friends  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Thereafter  nothing  disturbed  the  serenity  of  the  rival  chief- 
tains but  the  aggressions  of  the  mother  country.  Side  by  side 
they  stood  up  to  battle  against  these  encroachments  and  nobly 
performed  their  duty,  moving  like  two  opposing  currents  when 
joined  in  one,  with  increased  strength  and  velocity;  yet  not 


30 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


towards  “a  calmer  sea  where  all  is  peace”  but  towards  the  tur- 
bulent and  exciting  scenes  of  the  revolution. 

The  warfare  of  the  parties  having  now  ceased,  Mr.  Ward 
resumed  his  usual  occupations  with  the  same  zest  that  he  had 
formerly  exhibited  before  entering  the  political  arena.  He 
seems  to  have  been  a man  who  delighted  in  domestic  employ- 
ments and  was  happiest  when  surrounded  by  the  comforts  of 
his  home  and  the  society  of  his  friends.  And  such  a home 
as  he  possessed  was  well  calculated  to  secure  and  retain  the 
affections  of  any  man  who  had  the  least  spark  of  poetic  fire, 
or  who  loved  the  seclusion  and  retirement  of  the  country. 
His  house  was  situated  about  five  miles  south  froni  Westerly 
village,  nearly  opposite  Montauk  Point,  which  faintly  loomed 
in  the  distance,  and  commanded  a fine  view  of  the  Atlantic 
and  the  Sound,  upon  which  numerous  islands  and  hummocks, 
clothed  with  verdure,  reposed  like  emeralds  upon  a silvery 
surface.  The  magnificent  beach,  with  its  rolling  surges,  which 
commences  at  Watch  Hill  and  extends  eastward,  lay  in  front; 
the  intervening  meadows  were  covered  with  numerous  herds 
of  cattle  and  countless  flocks  of  water  fov/1  frequented  the 
streams  and  plashes,  inviting  the  aim  of  the  sportsman ; the 
whole  scene  realizing  the  fondest  dream  of  an  Arcadian 
imagination. 

“Day,  with  its  burden  and  heat  had  departed,  and  twilight 
descending. 

Brought  back  the  evening  star  to  the  sky,  and  the  herds  to 
the  homestead. 

Pawing  the  ground,  they  came  and,  resting  their  necks  on  each 
other. 

And  with  their  nostrils  distended,  inhaling  the  freshness  of 
evening. 

Late,  with  the  rising  moon,  returned  the  wains  from  the 
marshes. 

Laden  with  briny  hay,  that  filled  the  air  with  its  odor. 
Cheerily  neighed  the  steeds,  with  dew  on  their  manes  and 
fetlocks. 

Patiently  stood  the  cows  meanwhile  and  yielded  their  udders 
Unto  the  milk  maid’s  hand ; while  loud  and  in  regular  cadence 
Into  the  sounding  pails  the  foaming  streamlets  descended. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


31 


Lowing  of  cattle  and  peals  of  laughter  were  heard  in  the  farm 
yard, 

Echoed  back  by  the  barns ; anon,  they  sank  into  stillness. 
Heavily  closed,  with  a creaking  sound,  the  valves  of  the  barn 
doors ; 

Rattled  the  wooden  bars,  and  all  for  a season  was  silent.” 
Mr.  Ward’s  plantation  embraced  at  this  time  three  hun- 
dred acres  and  was  enclosed  and  portioned  as  follows : Two 
hundred  acres  of  pasturage,  fifty  acres  tillage,  four  acres  or- 
chard, seventy  acres  mowing  and  thirty  acres  woodland.  A list 
of  the  “Polls  and  Estates,  Real  and  Personal”  of  the  town, 
in  1767,  in  which  his  name  is  written  in  capital  letters  (as 
a mark  of  honor,  I presume)  taxes  him  thus : “One  hundred 
sheep,  fifty-three  cattle,  six  horses,  fifteen  swine,  nine  hundred 
bushels  grain,  twenty  barrels  of  cider,  forty  tons  English  hay 
and  twenty  tons  salt  hay.”  The  value  of  his  woodland  was 
estimated  at  two  hundred  and  thirty-three  pounds,  and  the 
amount  of  his  rents  at  one  thousand,  eight  hundred  and 
twenty  pounds.  An  asterisk  before  Mr.  Ward’s  name  referred 
me  to  the  bottom  of  the  list,  where  I found  these  words : 
“All  persons  with  the  cross  before  their  names  are  to  be 
four-folded.”  We  judge  from  this  notice  that  Mr.  Ward  had 
not  sent  in  his  list  to  the  assessors  and  was  punished  for  his 
neglect  according  to  law.  The  number  of  cattle  was  probably 
taken  from  the  list  of  the  preceding  year  and  was  very  small. 
At  one  time  his  stock  would  have  numbered  four  times  that 
amount.  His  tax  upon  the  Rate  Bill  in  1760  was  thirty 
thousand  pounds  and  in  1762  was  forty-five  thousand,  eight 
hundred  pounds.  These  enormous  amounts  will  seem  incred- 
ible to  the  reader  without  an  explanation.  At  that  time  the 
currency  of  the  colony  was  paper  money,  a short  account  of 
which  was  given  in  the  commencement  of  this  memoir  and 
which  had  depreciated  so  that  eight  pounds  of  it  was  only 
equal  to  a dollar  of  our  present  currency,  making  his  tax  in 
reality  about  six  thousand  dollars. 

Some  years  before,  when  he  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
prosperity,  he  had  paid  considerable  attention  to  the  raising 
of  cattle  and  of  the  celebrated  Narragansett  breed  of  horses 
for  the  West  India  market,  where  the  latter  commanded  large 


32 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


prices  on  account  of  their  fleetness  and  easy  carriage,  but 
at  this  time  the  number  of  both  had  diminished  to  about  that 
indicated  by  the  tax  list.  There  was  no  necessity  for  more 
horses  than  those  required  for  the  family’s  use,  as  the  usual 
labor  of  the  farm  was  performed  by  oxen.  But  in  consequence 
of  inattention  to  it,  during  his  absence  for  several  }^ears,  his 
land  had  visibly  suffered ; and  to  reclaim  those  neglected  por- 
tions, he  now  bent  his  whole  thoughts  and  energies.  The 
contiguity  of  his  farm  to  the  shore  made  it  a comparatively 
easy  task  to  enrich  it,  by  availing  himself  of  the  sea  and  rock 
weed  which  the  surf  cast  upon  the  beach. 

So  passed  happily  away  a few  years  in  this  retired  spot, 
until  the  year  1770,  when  the  great  sorrow  of  his  life  over- 
shadowed him,  in  the  death  of  his  beloved  wife.  That  myster- 
ious change  which  none  can  escape,  and  which  should  be  met 
with  a rejoicing  instead  of  a shrinking  heart,  passed  over  her, 
and  her  work  on  earth  was  done.  She  ‘‘with  whom  life  had 
been  one  long  day  of  changeless  love”  was  called  away  from 
earthly  scenes  to  the  great  eternal  future — 

“A  friends  from  loving  friends, 

A mother  from  her  children.” 

In  a retired  corner  of  a small  enclosure  within  a few  steps 
of  the  house,  her  mortal  remains  repose  until  the  great  day. 
Who  shall  say  how  much  her  influence  tended  to  mold  and 
prepare  the  mind  of  her  partner  for  his  duties,  or  deny  that 
to  the  gentle  teachings  of  her  amiable  heart  he  owed  a large 
portion  of  his  great  worth?  A small  memorial  of  dark  state- 
stone  stands  above  her  grave  with  this  inscription,  “In 
memory  of  Mrs.  Anna  Ward,  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  Samuel 
Ward,  Esq.,  and  daughter  of  Simon  Ray,  Esq.  She  departed 
this  life  December  5,  1770,  in  the  43d  year  of  her  age.” 

Her  Will  was  probated  soon  after  her  death,  and  was  as 
follows:  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I,  Anna  Ward,  wife 
of  Samuel  Ward,  of  Westerly,  in  the  County  of  Kings,  and 
Colony  of  Rhode  Island,  &c..  Esq.,  being  of  a sound  and  dispos- 
ing mind  and  memory,  although  in  an  infirm  state  of  body,  do 
make  and  ordain  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  in  manner 
following,  thaj^is  to  say: — I give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son, 
Charles  Ward,  my  daughters,  Hannah  Ward,  Anne  Ward, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


33 


Katherine  Ward,  Deborah  Ward,  and  Elizabeth  Ward,  and 
my  other  sons,  Samuel  Ward,  Simon  Ray  Ward,  and  Richard 
Ward,  and  their  heirs  forever,  all  my  real  estate,  consisting 
of  my  farm  at  Block  Island,  now  in  the  occupation  of  Giles 
Pierce,  and  one  quarter  part  of  a tract  of  wood-land  in  Exeter, 
which  my  father  purchased  of  John  Mulford,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  them,  the  said  Charles,  Hannah,  Anne,  Kath- 
erine, Mary,  Samuel,  Deborah,  Simon  Ray,  John,  Richard 
and  Elizabeth  Ward,  and  their  heirs,  and  to  be  held  and  en- 
joyed by  them  and  their  heirs  forever  in  severalty. 

In  v/itness  whereof,  I have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
seal,  the  fifth  day  of  March,  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  Majesty’s 
reign,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1770. 

Anna  Ward. 

Signed,  sealed,  published,  pronounced,  and  declared  by 
the  said  Anna  Ward,  to  be  her  last  Will  and  Testament, 
and  consented  to  by  the  said  Samuel  Ward,  in  presence  of  us. 

Moses  Billings, 

Hannah  Ward,  ' 

Ketty  Hubbard. 

The  above  Will  is  consented  to  by  me,  in  witness  whereof 
I hereunto  have  subscribed  my  name  and  put  my  seal. 

Sam.  Ward. 

The  causes  of  the  struggle  which  led  to  the  disruption 
of  the  ties  that  bound  the  colonies  to  the  mother  country, 
commenced  during  the  first  year  of  the  two  successive  terms 
that  Mr.  Ward  occupied  the  Gubernatorial  chair.  The  cele- 
brated Stamp  Act  was  enacted  a law  by  the  British 
Parliament,  and  attempts  were  made  to  enforce  its  odious 
provisions.  The  armed  vessels  of  Britain,  sent  over  to  execute 
that  law,  hovered  about  the  coasts,  and  anchored  in  the  ports 
of  the  colony  at  the  intimation  or  command  of  officers  of  the 
crown,  or  the  will  of  their  commanders.  The  bearing  of  these 
imperious  hirelings  was  more  obnoxious  to  the  colonists  from 
the  fact  that  in  their  intercourse  with  the  people  they  arro- 
gated to  themselves  a superiority  of  birth  and  blood,  and 
treated  all  provincials  with  contempt,  as  being  of  an  inferior 
order.  That  beautiful,  but  illusive  idea  was  about  to  be  dis- 


34 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


sipated,  and  the  first  rebuke  to  be  administered  by  a country 
farmer,  the  second  son  of  an  obscure  Englishman. 

One  pleasant  day  in  the  spring  of  1765,  a noble  ship, 
under  full  sail,  before  a fine  breeze,  entered  the  harbor  at 
Newport  and  cast  anchor,  tier  name  was  soon  ascertained 
to  be  the  “Maidstone,  Charles  Antrobus,  Commander.”  Her 
crew  landed  and  were  treated  with  respect,  but  their  insolent, 
domineering  spirit  soon  began  to  discover  itself.  Frequent 
collisions  occurred  v/ith  the  people  of  the  town,  but  nothing 
more  serious  than  a fev/  street  brawls  took  place  until  a press- 
gang  from  the  ship  landed  one  night  and  seized  some  sailors 
who  were  passing  through  the  public  streets. 

This  was  an  act  which  the  executive  could  not  pass  un- 
noticed, and  Governor  Ward  demanded  their  immediate  re- 
lease. His  second  letter  to  the  captain,  which  I give  below, 
is  firm  and  dignified,  and  shows  a detemination  to  have  the 
authority  of  the  colony  acknowledged. 

Newport,  nth  June,  1765. 

To  Charles  Antrobus:  _ 

Sir: — Last  Friday  I sent  the  high  sheriff  of  this  county 
on  board  his  Majesty’s  ship  Maidstone,  with  a letter  directed 
to  you,  or  in  your  absence,  to  the  commanding  officer,  requir- 
ing the  dismissal  of  several  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  lately 
impressed  and  detained  on  board  said  ship,  contrary  to  law. 
In  return  to  which  he  acquainted  me  that  it  was  not  in  his 
power  to  comply  with  my  order,  but  that  he  hourly  expected 
your  return,  and  was  very  confident  you  would  give  me 
sufficient  satisfaction  upon  that  head.  But  the  men  being  still 
detained  and  the  great  uneasiness  occasioned  thereby  continu- 
ing I must  repeat  my  demand  that  all  inhabitants  of  this 
colony  zvho  have  been  forcibly  taken  and  detained  on  board 
his  Majesty's  ship  under  your  command,  be  forthwith  dismissed. 
Lieut.  Baines  enclosed  me  an  account  of  the  illegal  proceed- 
ings of  some  persons  in  this  town,  in  taking  and  burning  'a  boat 
belonging  to  his  Majesty’s  ship  Maidstone,  and  abusing  Mr. 
Jenkins,  the  2d  Lieut.  This  affair  hath  given  me  the  greatest 
uneasiness,  and  I do  assure  you  that  upon  proper  applica- 
tion I shall  use  my  utmost  endeavor  to  prevent  any  such  violent 
and  scandalous  measures  from  taking  place  for  the  future. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD.  35 

and  to  bring  all  those  who  have  lately  behaved  in  that  illegal 
manner  to  condign  punishment;  and  I do  further  assure  you 
that  whenever  any  of  the  officers  or  men , belonging  to  His 
Majesty’s  ship  Maidstone  may  be  on  shore,  they  may  depend 
upon  my  protection,  they  behaving  themselves  peaceably,  and 
conforming  to  the  laws  of  the  colony.  I am  your  most  humble 
servant,  Sam.  Ward. 

This  demand  of  the  Governor  was  evaded  by  the  com- 
mander of  the  ship,  whereupon  he  forwarded  a third  letter,  of 
which  Capt.  Antrobus  complains  bitterly,  as  being  severe  and 
unjust  in  its  expressions.  Gov.  Ward  declared  “the  impres-  j | 
sing  of  Englishmen  was  an  arbitrary  action,  contrary  to  law, 
inconsistent  with  liberty,  and  to  be  justified  only  by  urgent 
necessity.  But,  as  the  ship  lay  moored  in  an  English  colony, 
always  ready  to  render  any  assistance  for  His  Majesty’s  ser- 
vice, there  could  be  no  possible  reason  sufficient  to  justify 
the  severe  and  rigorous  impress  carried  on  in  this  port.  The 
commander  and  crew  of  this  ship  are  subject  to  the  laws  of 
the  colony,  within  whose  jurisdiction  they  are  anchored.” 

These  bold  words,  from  the  Governor  of  an  insignificant 
colony,  astonished  the  haughty  British  officer,  and  were  re- 
ported with  much  indignation  to  his  superiors  at  home.  But 
the  people,  incensed  by  this  delay  in  returning  the  impressed 
seamen,  seized  a boat  lying  at  one  of  the  public  wharves  of 
the  city,  which  belonged  to  the  Maidstone,  and  burned  it  in 
the  public  square.  This  act  of  an  indignant  populace,  and 
the  determined  manner  of  the  Governor,  brought  the  Briton 
to  terms.  The  men  were  released  from  custody,  and  re- 
turned to  the  city,  where  they  were  received  with  much  re- 
joicing. His  next  attempt  to  impress  seamen  was  probably 
made  in  some  other  colony  beside  Rhode  Island. 

In  no  community  in  America  was  the  indignation  of  the 
people  at  the  odious  provisions  of  the  stamp-act  more  visible 
than  in  this  colony.  It  could  not  be  restrained  from  open 
violence  by  the  threats  of  the  commanders  of  the  armed 
cruisers,  nor  the  persuasions  of  their  magistrates.  The  out- 
raged feelings  of  liberty,  and  of  manhood,  burst  at  once  into 
a blaze  of  the  fiercest  intensity. 

“At  Providence,  a Gazette  Extraordinary  was  published 


3^ 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


on  the  24th  of  August,  with  Vox  Populi,  Vox  Dei,  in  large 
letters  for  the  frontispiece ; and  underneath  these  words : 
“Where  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  Liberty.”  (St. 
Paul).  It  congratulated  them  on  the  spirit  of  opposition 
that  had  already  been  shown  in  divers  parts  of  North  Amer- 
ica, and  went  on  in  these  words:  “We  have  glorious  accounts 
from  all  parts,  of  the  noble  spirit  of  the  people  in  the  case 
of  Liberty;”  and  concluded  an  address  to  the  people  of  New 
England,  thus:  “Let  me  draw  towards  a conclusion  by  ob- 
serving the  universal  spirit  which  now  prevails  through  the 
colonies,  to  take  all  lawful  measures  to  prevent  the  execution 
of  the  stamp-act  here.  This  laudable  zeal  hath  burst  into 
a flame  in  Boston,  and  the  exertions  of  the  people  of  that 
ancient  town,  who  have  heretofore  been  obliged  to  struggle 
for  their  liberties  v/hen  infamously  attacked,  as  their  history 
shows,  plainly  indicates  that  the  spirits  of  their  fathers  rests 
upon  them,  and  that  they  preserve  in  their  breasts  the  noble 
sensations  of  freedom.” 

The  people  of  Newport,  also,  were  aroused  and  proceeded 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  Augustine  Johnson,  the  stamp  officer, 
and  would  have  destroyed  it,  but  he  being  absent,  they  refrained 
from  injuring  his  efiects  until  his  return.  Upon  his  arrival  he 
issued  the  following  circular: 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  Newport: 

Gentlemen: — As  I find  my  being  appointed  the  stamp 
officer  of  this  colony  has  irritated  the  people  of  this  town 
against  me,  though  the  office  was  bestowed  upon  me  unasked 
and  unthought  of,  and  being  willing,  so  far  as  it  is  in  my 
power  to  restore  tranquility  to  the  town,  do  engage,  upon  my 
honor,  that  I will  not  accept  of  said  office,  upon  any  terms, 
unless  I have  your  consent  for  the  same. 

Augustine  Johnson. 

Aug.  29,  1765. 

These  outbreaks  of  popular  fury  were  indications  which 
the  British  nation  would  have  done  well  to  have  heeded, 
especially  when  they  were  succeeded  by  petitions  and  remon- 
strances from  all  classes  of  His  Majesty’s  subject.  But  not 
even  when  a Congress  of  the  colonies  was  called  to  agree 
upon  to  present  an  address  to  the  King,  did  Parliament  hesi- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


37 


tate  in  the  arbitrary  course  it  had  commenced. 

To  that  Congress  which  met  in  New  York  in  1765  to 
deliberate  upon  the  subject  of  the  stamp-act,  Metcalf  Bowler 
and  Henry  Ward  (brother  of  the  Governor),  were  appointed 
delegates  from  Rhode  Island.  This  was  the  first  Congress 
that  ever  met  upon  the  American  continent.  When  informa- 
tion of  the  riotous  proceedings  at  Newport  reached  the  King, 
his  ire  was  very  much  excited,  and  he  ordered  a suspension 
of  intercourse  between  Britain  and  the  rebellious  colony.  It 
would  have  been  better  for  the  colony  had  that  edict  been 
promulgated  twenty  years  before,  for  in  addition  to  their  own 
taxes,  they  had  been  obliged  to  contribute  largely  to  support 
the  war  with  France,  and  although  ten  years  had  elapsed, 
they  had  not  as  yet  received  a farthing  in  return. 

By  some  oversight  their  account  had  not  been  forwarded 
at  the  proper  time,  and  when  it  was  finally  sent,  a delay  had 
occurred  through  the  shallow  excuses  of  the  Paymaster  Gen- 
eral which  had  continued  until  1766. 

At  that  time,  by  request  of  the  General  Assembly,  Gov. 
Ward  wrote  to  the  Earl  of  Sherburne  upon  the  subject,  and 
the  following  is  an  extract  from  his  letter: 

Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Nov.  6,  1766. 

The  miltary  stores  and  provisions  furnished  by  the  colo- 
nies in  the  year  1756,  for  the  provincial  troops,  were  by  the 
directions  from  the  Earl  of  London,  Commander-in-Chief  of 
His  Majesty’s  forces  in  North  America,  taken  into  the  King’s 
magazines,  and  the  colonies  were,  on  the  behalf  of  the  crown, 
promised  payment  for  them. 

The  other  colonies,  upon  presenting  their  accounts,  re- 
ceived the  money  accordingly,  but  this  colony,  unhappily  ne- 
glecting to  transmit  their  account  (amounting  to  £4211  19s  yd) 
in  season,  an  objection  arose  when  they  were  presented,  to 
the  pa)mient  of  them,  and  they  were  referred  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  and  Paymaster  General,  who  proposed  a reduction 
of  £1209  14s-  Thus  the  matter  rested  for  several  years,  when 
the  agent  of  this  colony  was  introduced  (instructed?)  to 
renew  his  application  for  payment  of  those  accounts ; upon 
v/hich  they  were  again  referred  to  the  Secretary  of  War  and 
Paymaster  General,  who,  after  some  further  deduction,  re- 


38 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


ported  “that  there  was  due  and  payable  to  the  colony,  £2672 
i8s  I id,”  which  sum  the  colony  expected  the  agent  would 
soon  have  received,  but  in  his  last  letter  informs  me  that 
upon  application  for  the  money  he  received  a positive  answer 
from  the  lords  of  the  treasury,  “That  as  a requisition  had  gone 
from  the  crown  to  the  colony,  the  treasury-board  thought  fit 
to  suspend  the  payment  of  the  money  until  an  answer  came 
from  the  colony  relating  to  that  requisition.” 

The  General  Assembly,  upon  receipt  of  this  letter,  re- 
quested me  to  lay  the  matter  before  His  Majesty’s  principal 
Secretary  of  State  for  this  department,  and  I have  accord- 
ingly given  your  Lordship  this  short  account  of  the  affair. 
I beg  leave  to  observe  to  your  Lordship  that  this  colony  really 
paid  the  whole  sum  charged  for  the  several  articles  in  their 
accounts,  so  that  if  the  sum  reported  to  be  due  be  paid,  they 
will  suffer  actual  loss  of  upwards  of  1,500  pounds  besides 
the  damage  they  have  sustained  by  being  kept  out  of  the  money 
ten  years — interest  for  which  they  have  paid  ever  since  at 
the  rate  of  ten  per  cent,  per  annum. 

This  colony,  my  lord,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  Connecticut,  and  the  sea,  and  not  exposed  to  the 
attacks  of  the  enemy  upon  this  continent,  were  animated  solely 
by  a zeal  for  His  Majesty’s  service,  and  the  honour  and  dignity 
of  his  Crown,  to  exert  themselves  in  the  common  cause  of 
Britain  and  America,  in  such  manner  as  to  merit  and  receive 
the  approbation  of  his  Majesty’s  Ministers  and  Generals,  and 
so  far  beyond  their  ability,  that  they  are  now  actually  in- 
volved in  a most  heavy  debt,  for  which,  by  reason  of  the 
scarcity  of  money,  they  have  been,  and  for  years  to  come, 
will  be  obliged  to  pay  a very  high  interest. 

From  these  considerations,  the  detention  of  the  balance 
reported  to  be  due  occasions  great  uneasiness,  and  is  con- 
sidered as  a peculiar  hardship  by  His  Majesty’s  loyal  sub- 
jects in  this  colony.  The  more  especially,  as  all  the  other 
colonies  have  long  since  received  the  monies  due  to  them 
upon  the  same  account. 

I must  also  beg  leave  to  submit  to  your  lordship  whether 
this  suspension  of  payment  may  not  be  considered  rather 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


39 


as  a mark  of  compelling  the  colony  to  grant  monies  to  persons 
who  have  suffered,  than  as  a recommendation  of  the  sufferers, 
whether  it  will  not  have  a manifest  tendency  to  discourage 
the  colonies  from  exporting  themselves  in  the  same  rigorous 
manner  for  his  Majesty’s  service  for  the  future,  and  whether, 
considering  his  Majesty’s  inviolable  and  tender  regard  for 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  all  his  subjects,  a measure  so 
coercive  can  be  supposed  agreeable  to  his  royal  Attention. 

I am  also,  at  the  request  of  the  General  Assembly,  to 
assure  your  lordship  that  the  opinion  that  the  rioters  of  the 
colony  were  countenanced  in  their  depredations  by  any  person 
of  note  or  consequence,  is  so  far  as  the  members  of  the  As- 
sembly has  any  knowledge  or  information  thereof  entirely 
groundless,  and  that  when  the  sufferers  shall  make  a proper 
application  to  the  Assembly,  they  will  consider  the  same, 
and  do  them  all  the  justice  the  nature  of  their  cases  shall 
require. 

Sam.  Ward. 

But  Great  Britain  was  determined  to  punish  the  rebellious 
colon)q  and  withheld  the  payment  of  the  debt  until  the  more 
serious  troubles  of  the  Revolution  extinguished  it  forever. 
The  visits  of  the  British  ships  of  war  to  the  city  of  Newport 
during  that  event,  and  its  occupation  by  their  troops,  gave 
them  an  opportunity  of  retaliating  upon  it,  in  many  of  those 
petty  acts  of  revenge,  for  which,  throughout  the  war,  they 
were  distinguished.  The  seizure  and  destruction  of  the  Town 
Records,  by  casting  them  into  the  waters  of  the  Sound,  ranks 
among  the  celebrated  feats,  whereby  their  malice  was  ap- 
peased, and  much  honor  gained  for  their  king  and  country. 
The  distress  of  the  colony  while  staggering  under  this  load 
of  debt,  and  without  intercourse  with  the  home  government, 
was  extreme.  But  the  indignation  of  the  people  rose  above 
the  extremity  of  their  sufferings,  and  they  determined,  if 
the  king  would  not  speak  to  them,  they  would  not  purchase 
his  commodities.  Town  meetings  were  called  throughout  the 
colony,  and  resolutions  passed,  ‘ho  deprive  themselves  of  im- 
ported articles,  to  encourage  their  own  manufactures  and  to 
inculcate  habits  of  industry  and  frugality.”  At  a town  meet- 
ing in  Newport,  a committee  was  appointed,  one  of  which  was 


40 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


Henry  Ward,  (Secretary  of  State,  and  brother  of  the  Gov- 
ernor) “to  report  the  best  manner  of  relieving  the  colony 
in  its  present  straits.’’  That  committee  made  their  report, 
and  the  town  voted:  “That  this  Town  will  take  all  prudent  and 
legal  measures  to  encourage  the  produce  and  manufactures 
of  this  colony,  and  to  lessen  the  use  of  superfluities,  and 
particularly  the  following  enumerated  articles  imported  from 
abroad,  to  wit. : Loaf  Sugar ; Cordage ; Anchors ; Coaches ; 
Chaises;  and  Carriages  of  all  sort;  House  Furniture;  Gloves; 
Men’s  and  Women’s  Shoes  and  Hats;  Men’s  and  Women’s 
Apparel  ready  made;  Household  Furniture;  Sole  Leather; 
Deck  Nails;  Gold  and  Silver  and  Thread  Lace  of  all  sorts; 
Gold  and  Silver  Clocks  and  Watches ; Gold  and  Silver  But- 
tons; Wrought  Plate  of  all  sorts;  Diamond  Stone  and  Paste 
Ware;  Snuff;  Mustard;  Broad  cloths,  that  cost  above  ten 
shillings  per  yard;  Muffs;  Furs  and  Tippets;  and  all  sorts 
of  Millinery  Ware;  Starch;  Women’s  and  Children’s  Stays; 
Fire  Engines;  China  Ware;  Silk,  and  Cotton  Velvets;  Gauze; 
Pewterers  Hollow  Ware;  Linseed  Oil  Glue;  Lawns;  Cam- 
brics ; Silks  of  all  kinds  for  garments ; Malt  Liquors,  and 
cheese.” 

“And  that  a subscription  be  circulated  for  signatures, 
with  the  further  agreement.  That,  at  the  Funeral  of  any  of 
our  Relations  or  Friends,  we  will  not  give  Scarfs  nor  Rings 
to  any  person;  nor  Gloves  to  any  except  the  Ministers  attend- 
ing, which  Gloves  shall  be  of  the  Manufacture  of  some  of 
the  British  Colonies  in  America;  and  that  we  will  not  our- 
selves, nor  suffer  any  of  our  families,  to  make  use  of  any 
mourning  upon  the  death  of  even  the  nearest  Relation;  nor 
upon  such  occasion  procure  any  new  garments  but  what  shall 
be  absolutely  necessary.” 

A copy  of  these  resolutions  was  sent  to  Governor  Ward, 
who  had  retired  in  the  spring  of  that  year,  to  his  home  in 
Westerly,  and  he  was  so  filled  with  admiration  at  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  meeting,  and  the  self-denial  which  they  ex- 
hibited, that  he  predicted  at  no  distant  day  the  entire  freedom 
of  the  Colonies  from  the  thraldom  of  the  British  yoke.  From 
this  moment  it  is  supposed  he  began  to  prepare  himself  for 
the  struggle  which  he  saw  was  inevitable. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


41 


All  these  events  occurred  previous  to  the  death  of  his 
wife,  some  of  them  while  he  was  improving  his  farm  and 
attending  to  the  education  of  his  children. 

According  to  tradition,  he  commenced  about  this  time, 
with  one  of  his  neighbors,  a vexatious  and  singular  lawsuit  in 
regard  to  the  boundary  line  between  their  farms,  which  en- 
gaged a portion  of  his  time  and  attention. 

The  beginning  of  this  controversy  is  said  to  have  been 
so  curious,  that  it  must  be  related. 

The  line  between  the  farms  on  the  east  of  Gov.  Ward’s 
plantation,  upon  approaching  the  sea,  ran  through  a swamp  or 
bog,  and  terminated  in  a certain  point  on  the  beach.  But  on 
running  it  back,  the  variation  of  the  compass  was  such,  that, 
to  meet  the  former  line  which  they  had  made  coming  down 
to  the  sea,  they  had  to  start  several  rods  to  the  westward, 
and  when  they  first  met  the  line,  it  left  a triangular  piece 
of  ground  from  the  swamp  down  to  the  water.  The  three- 
cornered  piece  of  land  both  parties  claimed. _JIt  is  said  that 
the  variation  of  the  campass  was  caused  by  the  presence  of 
iron  in  the  bog  through  which  the  line  passed.  Yet  it  is 
doubtful  if  any  controversy  would  have  arisen  concerning 
it,  but  for  an  unfortunate  accident.  A cask  of  brandy,  lost 
or  thrown  overboard  from  some  passing  vessel,  washed  ashore 
and  landed  exactly  upon  the  disputed  territory.  Both  claimed 
it;  and  instead  of  dividing  it — for  there  must  have  been 
enough  for  both — each  insisted  upon  having  the  whole. 

I am  sorry  to  spoil  a story  which  has  such  a curious  and 
interesting  commencement ; but  having  to  deal  with  facts, 
I must  state  them,  as  they  are  upon  the  records.  It  is  true 
that  there  was  a lawsuit  between  the  neighbors ; and  that  it 
was  about  a land  title,  is  also  correct;  but  anything  concern- 
ing its  cause  of  commencement  I cannot  learn.  There  are  very 
few  suits  at  law,  where  one  party  only  is  blameable,  and  if 
Mr.  Ward  was  entirely  right,  and  the  other  party  entirely 
wrong,  it  would  be  a singular  case.  Let  it  not  be  understood, 
that  we  claim  for  Mr.  Ward  any  immunity  from  the  errors 
or  passions  of  mankind.  To  err  is  human.  Doubtless  both 
the  litigants  were  to  blame.  To  inform  myself  about  this 


42 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


suit,  I visited,  and  faithfully  examined  the  records  of  the 
Courts,  at  Kingston,  and  found  the  following  judgment  which 
fully  explains  it,  as  a common  law  suit,  for  a title  to  a dis- 
puted tract  of  land ; and  it  seems  to  have  been  nothing  more. 

That  it  terminated  favorably  to  Mr.  Ward,  I cannot  ad- 
mit as  proof  that  he  was  right  or  wrong,  for  if  the  decisions 
of  Courts  at  that  time  were  like  some  which  many  of  us  have 
seen,  we  know  that  they  do  not  always  “render  to  Csesar  the 
things  which  are  Caesar’s,”  or  “to  God  the  things  that  are 
God’s.”  But  here  is  the  judgment  of  the  Court: 

August  Court,  A.  D.,  1763. 

Samuel  Ward,  of  Newport,  in  the  County  of  Newport, 
Esq’r,  plaintiff;  Joseph  Noyes,  of  Westerly,  in  the  County  of 
Kings,  Yeoman,  defendant;  in  an  action  of  treaspass  and 
ejectment  for  withholding  from  the  plaintiff  the  possession 
of  two  tracts  of  land  in  Westerly  aforesaid,  containing  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  more  or  less,  together  with  half  a 
Message  or  Dwelling  House  thereon ; one  piece  containing 
ninety  acres,  bounded  easterly  on  William  Champlin’s  land; 
the  other  containing  about  seventy  acres,  bound  westerly  on 
Samuel  Ward’s  land,  westerly  on  John  Dodge’s  land,  and  on 
all  other  ways  on  Joseph  Noyes’  land,  with  the  appurtenances ; 
the  defendant  withholding  said  land  is  to  the  plaintiff’s  damage 
i5,ooo.  The  defendant  made  defaulit;  it’s  therefore  con- 
sidered by  the  court,  that  the  plaintiff  shall  recover  and  have 
of  the  defendant  the  possession  of  the  land  and  premises 
sued  for,  and  the  costs  of  court  taxed  at  twenty-four  pounds, 
eighteen  shillings,  and  four  pence.” 

Mr.  Noyes,  the  defendant,  appeals  to  the  superior  Court, 
but  failing  to  appear,  the  judgment  of  the  inferior  court  was 
affirmed. 

The  events  which  were  transpiring  aroused  him,  and  the 
agitations  and  excitement  caused  by  the  execrable  laws  of 
Great  Britain,  had  not  passed  unnoticed  by  Mr.  Ward  in  his 
retirement.  He  was  apprised,  doubtless,  by  correspondents,  of 
the  progress  of  the  movements  of  the  colonists,  and  he  also 
made  occasional  visits  to  Providence  and  Newport  to  take  his 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


43 


acquaintances  by  the  hand,  and  obtain  ocular  proof  that  the 
fire  upon  the  altar  of  friendship  was  not  extinguished. 

The  control  of  the  government  was  now  passing  from  the 
grasp  of  the  King  into  the  hands  of  the  people,  and  that  the 
town  of  Westerly  might  not  be  a laggard  in  the  cause  of 
freedom,  the  Town  Council  called  a meeting  of  all  the  citizens 
on  the  second  day  of  February,  1774,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  alarming  state  of  afifairs,  and  devise  a remedy. 

Mr.  Ward  was  chosen  Moderator  of  that  Meeting,  and 
the  following  resolutions,  which  were  passed  by  it,  were  drawn 
up  by  him.  They  are  plain,  simple  and  comprehensive ; adapted 
to  the  understanding  of  the  “wayfaring  man,”  and  sufficiently 
eloquent  in  their  simplicity  to  please  those  of  higher  attain- 
ments. Those  who  give  them  a cursory  reading  only, 
will  be  struck  with  the  mild,  but  firm  dignity  of  their  lan- 
guage; and  the  similarity  of  their  style  to  that  grand  decla- 
ration of  hum.an  rights  from  the  pen  of  Jefferson,  tvv^o  years 
later  cannot  fail  to  be  perceived.  The  statement  of  our 
grievances  is  set  forth  in  the  fervid  language  of  truth ; the 
closing  declaration  rising  to  sublimity,  when  with  touching 
pathos,  they  afiirm,  “We  cannot  give  up  our  liberties  to  any 
person  on  earth ; they  are  dearer  to  us  than  our  lives.”  The 
town  of  Westerly  should  be  proud  that  they  are  recorded 
among  its  archives.  The  record  says,  “It  was  the  largest 
meeting  ever  held  in  the  town,  and  not  a dissenting  vote.” 
“At  a Town  Meeting  specially  called,  and  held  at  the  dwell- 
ing house  of  Mayor  Edward  Bliven,  in  Westerly,  in  the 
County  of  Kings,  February  2d,  A.  D.  1774,  The  Hon’ble 
Samuel  Ward  Esqr.,  chosen  Moderator. 

The  Moderator  and  several  other  gentlemen  laid  before 
the  mieeting  the  vast  importance  of  Civil  and  Religious  Lib- 
erty to  society;  and  then  stated  the  natural  and  constitutional 
rights  and  privileges  of  the  colonists,  and  the  many  infring- 
mients  of  those  rights  by  the  several  acts  of  Parliament  for 
raising  a revenue  in  America,  and  other  constitutional  pur- 
poses; upon  which  the  Moderator  and  Johna  Babcock,  Esqr,, 
Mr.  James  Rhodes,  Col.  William  Pendleton,  Mr.  George  Shef- 
field, Oliver  Crary,  Esqr.  and  Capt.  Benjamin  Park  were 
appointed  a committee  to  take  the  important  subjects  before 


44 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


the  meeting  into  their  consideration,  and  report  as  soon  as 
may  be,  what  measures  will  be  proper  for  the  town  to  take 
in  the  present  alarming  situation  of  the  Colonies. 

The  meeting  was  adjourned  for  a few  hours,  and  the 
freemen  being  again  assembled,  the  committee  reported  the 
following  Resolves,  all  of  which  were  unanimously  received 
and  voted. 

1st.  Resolved,  That  our  ancestors,  being  oppressed  in  their 
native  country,  and  denied  the  liberty  of  worshipping  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  consciences,  had  a 
natural  and  just  right  to  emigrate  from  Britain  to  this  or 
any  other  part  of  the  world. 

2nd,  That  upon  their  arrival  in  America  they  found  the 
country  in  the  actual  possession  of  the  Indian  Natives,  who 
had  the  sole  and  absolute  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  and  a 
perfect  and  exclusive  right  on  property  in  the  soil  and  produce, 
of  every  kind. 

3d,  That  they  purchased  the  soil,  and  with  it  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Country  of  the  Sachems,  the  then  sole  Lords 
and  Proprietors  thereof,  and  accordingly  became  possessed 
of  an  exclusive  natural  and  just  right  and  property  in  the 
same,  with  a right  to ' improve  or  dispose  of  the  same  and 
its  various  produce,  in  any  manner  which  they  chose, 
and  might  have  incorporated  themselves  into  distinct  or  sepa- 
rate Societies  or  Government,  without  any  connection  with 
any  European  Power  whatsoever. 

4th.  That  their  attachment  to  their  native  country  and 
its  excellent  Constitution  made  them  forget  their  former 
sufferings,  and  hope  for  better  times,  and  put  themselves  and 
the  vast  territory  they  had  acquired  under  the  allegiance  of 
the  Crown  of  England,  upon  express  conditions  that  all  their 
natural,  civil,  and  religious  rights  and  privileges  should  be 
secured  to  them  and  their  heirs  forever. 

This  security  was  solemnly  granted  and  confirmed  ac- 
cordingly in  their  respective  charters  with  all  the  “liberties 
and  immunities  of  free  and  natural  subjects  within  any  of 
the  dominions  of  the  then  King  of  England,  etc.,  his  heirs 
or  successors,  to  all  intents,  constructions,  and  purposes  what- 
soever, as  if  they  or  every  one  of  them  had  been  born  within 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


45 


the  Realm  of  England,”  and  these  privileges  have  been  since 
confirmed  by  several  acts  of  Parliament. 

5th.  That  the  charter  of  this  colony  doth  in  the  strongest 
manner  possible,  grant  unto  the  inhabitants  thereof,  all  those 
rights  and  privileges,  with  complete  jurisdiction,  , within  the 
territory  they  had  purchased,  an  entire  exemption  from  all 
“services,  duties,  fines,  forfeitures,  claims  and  demands  what- 
soever, except  the  fifth  part  of  all  Ore  of  Gold  and  silver  found 
in  the  colony,  which  is  reserved  in  lieu  of  all  duties. 

6th.  That  the  act  of  the  British  Parliament,  claiming 
a right  to  make  laws  binding  upon  the  colonies  in  all  cases 
whatsoever,  is  inconsistent  with  the  natural,  constitutional 
and  charter  rights  and  privileges  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
colony. 

7th.  That  the  acts  of  Parliament  forbidding  us  to  trans- 
port our  wool  by  water  from  one  town  to  another,  or  pro- 
hibiting the  working  up  of  iron  or  other  raw  materials  which 
the  country  affords,  are  arbitrary,  oppressive,  and  inconsistent 
with  our  natural  and  charter  rights. 

8th.  That  all  the  acts  in  Parliament  for  raising  a revenue 
in  America  are  a notorious  violation  of  the  liberties  and  im- 
munities granted  by  charter  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony, 
and  have  a tendency  to  deprive  them  of  the  liberties,  which, 
as  freemen  and  subjects,  they  have  a right  to,  by  Magna  Carta 
and  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  also  to  deprive  them  of  the 
fruit  of  their  own  labor  and  the  produce  of  their  own  lands ; 
and  make  the  present  colonists  and  all  their  property,  slaves 
to  the  people,  or  rather,  to  the  ministry,  of  Great  Britain. 

9th.  That  the  granting  of  salaries  to  the  Governors  and 
Judges  in  the  colonies ; the  enlarging  of  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  court  of  Admiralty;  the  appointment  of  the  Board  of 
Commissioners;  the  increase  of  the  Custom  House  Officers; 
the  arbitrary  power  given  to  those  officers  to  break  any  man's 
house  {was  considered  by  law  as  a sacred  retirement  from 
all  force  and  violence  until  now,)  and  to  -forcibly  enter  his 
bed  chamber,  break  open  his  desk  and  trunks,  and  offer  all 
kinds  of  insult  to  his  family ; the  introducing  fleets  and 
armies  to  supply  those  officers  and  enforce  a submission  to 
every  act  of  oppression,  are  inconsistent  with  every  idea  of 


46 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


liberty ; and  will  certainly,  if  not  immediately  checked,  estab- 
lish Arbitrary  Power  and  Slavery  in  Am.erica,  with  all  their 
fatal  consequences. 

loth.  That  the  act  of  Parliament  entitled  an  “Act  for 
the  better  preserving  His  Majesty’s  Dock-yards,”  etc.,  is  a 
flagrant  violation  of  all  our  natural  and  constitutional  rights ; 
for  by  this  act  any  man  in  America  may  be  seized  and 
carried  to  any  part  of  Britain,  there  to  be  tried  upon  a pre- 
tense of  his  being  concerned  in  burning  a Boat,  Vessel,  or 
any  materials  for  building,  or  any  Naval  Stores,  etc.,  and 
being  deprived  of  a trial  by  his  Peers  in  the  vicinity,  and 
subjected  to  a foreign  jurisdiction,  under  the  direction  of 
those  who  neither  know  nor  regard  him;  tho’  innocent,  he  is 
sure  to  be  entirely  ruined. 

nth.  That  the  act  allowing  the  East  India  Company 
to  export  Tea  to  America,  subject  to  a duty  payable  here, 
and  the  actual  sending  of  the  Tea  into  the  colonies  by  the 
Company,  are  manifest  attempts  to  enforce  the  revenue  acts, 
and  undoubtedly  designed  to  make  a precedent  for  estab- 
lishing Taxes  and  Monopolies  in  America,  in  order  that  a 
General  Tax  upon  all  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  on  all  our 
lands,  may  take  place ; and  mionopolies  of  all  valuable  branches 
of  Commerce  may  be  established  in  this  country.  We  will, 
therefore,  neither  buy,  sell,  nor  receive  as  a gift,  any  dutied 
Tea,  but  shall  consider  all  persons  concerned  in  introducing 
dutied  Tea  into  this  Town  as  enemies  to  their  country. 

1 2th.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  man  in  America 
v/ho  loves  God,  his  King  or  his  country,  to  oppose  by  all 
proper  measures  every  attempt  upon  the  liberties  of  his  coun- 
try, and  particularly  the  importation  of  Tea  subject  to  a 
Duty,  and  to  exert  himself  to  the  utmost  to  obtain  a redress 
of  the  grievances  the  colonies  now  groan  under. 

13th.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  ever  have  been, 
and  now  are,  loyal  and  dutiful  subjects  to  their  Sovereign;  that 
they  have  a most  affectionate  regard  for  their  brethren  in  Brit- 
ain and  Ireland;  that  in  all  the  wars  in  America,  they  have, 
when  the  Government  has  been  constitutionally  applied  to  by 
the  Crown,  granted  all  the  aid  in  their  power,  and  frequently 
more  than  was  expected ; that  they  are  sill  ready,  when  called 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


47 


upon  in  a constitutional  way,  to  grant  such  aid  and  assistance  to 
the  Crown  as  the  necessity  of  the  case  may  require,  and 
their  abilty  will  admit;  but  though  we  are  ready  to  sacrifice 
our  lives  and  our  fortunes  for  the  true  honor  and  interest  of 
our  sovereign  and  the  good  of  our  mother  country,,  ive  cannot 
give  up  our  liberties  to  any  person  upon  earth;  they  are  dearer 
to  us  than  our  lives.  We  do  therefore  solemnly  resolve  and 
determine  that  we  will  heartily  unite  with  the  other  Towns 
in  this  and  all  our  sister  colonies,  and  exert  our  whole  force  and 
influence  in  support  of  the  just  rights  and  privileges  of  the 
American  Colonies. 

14th.  That  the  Moderator  and  Joshua  Babcock,  Esqr., 
Mr.  James  Rhodes,  Mr.  George  Sheffield,  Maj.  James  Bab- 
cock or  the  major  part  of  them,  be  a committee  for  this  Town 
to  correspond  with  all  other  committees  appointed  by  any 
Town  in  this  or  the  other  colonies;  and  the  committee  is 
directed  to  give  the  closest  attention  to  everything  which 
concerns  the  liberties  of  America;  and  if  any  Tea  subject 
to  a duty  should  be  imported  into  this  Town,  or  anything 
else  attempted  injurious  to  liberty,  the  committee  is  directed 
and  impowered  to  call  a Town  meeting  forthwith,  that  such 
measures  may  be  taken  as  the  public  safety  may  require. 

15th.  We  highly  applaud  and  sincerely  thank  our  breth- 
ren in  the  several  sister  colonies  of  America,  particularly  in 
Boston,  Virginia,  and  Philadelphia,  for  their  noble  and  vir- 
tuous stand  in  the  defense  of  the  common  liberties  of  America, 
and  we  return  our  thanks  to  the  Town  of  Newport  for  their 
Patriotic  resolutions  to  m.aintain  the  liberties  of  their  coun- 
try, and  the  prudent  measure  they  have  taken  to  have  the 
other  Towns  in  the  colony  to  come  into  the  same  generous 
resolution. 

Voted,  That  the  proceeding  of  this  Town  Meeting  be 
published  in  the  Newport  Mercury.  In  accordance  with  a 
desire  expressed  by  Mr.  V/ard,  in  a communication  to  the 
town  of  Newport,  a short  time  previous,  the  freemen  of 
that  patriotic  community,  had  passed  similar  resolutions,  all 
traces  of  which  were  lost  in  the  destruction  of  the  records  a 
few  years  later,  by  British  chivalry. 

The  interval  which  succeeded  the  vacation  of  the  Cover- 


48 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


norship  of  the  Colony,  until  Mr.  Ward  occupied  a higher 
station,  has  now  nearly  expired.  The  ability  which  he  dis- 
played in  the  discharge  of  the  various  duties  that  had  devolved 
upon  him,  indicated  him  as  a proper  person  to  represent  the 
Colony  in  a far  more  important  and  delicate  trust  than  had 
ever  before  been  imposed  upon  him.  At  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Assembly,  after  the  passing  of  the  preceding  reso- 
lutions by  the  town  of  Westerly,  the  following  vote  was 
passed : V oted,  That  the  Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Hon. 
Samuel  Ward,  Esqrs.,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  by 
this  Assembly  to  represent  the  people  of  this  Colony  in  a 
General  Congress  of  Representatives  from  the  other  Colonies, 
at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  major 
part  of  the  committee  appointed  or  to  be  apopinted  by  the 
Colonies  in  general. 

They  were  to  consult  and  advise  with  the  Representa- 
tives of  the  other  colonies  who  should  meet  in  such  Congress 
upon  a loyal  and  dutiful  petition  and  remonstrance,  to  be 
presented  to  His  Majesty,  as  the  united  voice  of  his  faithful 
subjects  in  America,  setting  forth  the  grievance  they  labor 
under,  and  praying  for  his  gracious  interposition  for  their 
relief.  Sixty  pounds,  lawful  money,  was  allowed  to  each 
delegate  to  defray  his  expenses;  an  account  of  which  was  to 
be  rendered  to  the  Assembly  upon  their  return. 

To  fulfill  the  new  duties  of  the  station  to  which  he  had 
been  chosen  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  Assembly,  Mr. 
Ward,  accompanied  by  Cudjo,  his  faithful  colored  do- 
mestic, left  his  home  in  the  summer  of  1774,  for 
Philadelphia,  where  it  had  been  agreed  that  the  Congress 
should  assemble.  You,  who  are  whirled  along  by  the  power 
of  steam  at  the  present  day,  to  that  beautiful  city,  can  hardly 
realize  the  fatigue  of  a journey  at  that  time  to  the  same  city 
on  horseback.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  after  much  toil  and  delay, 
he  arrived,  and  was  present  at  the  opening  of  the  “First 
Continental  Congress.”  The  Journal  of  that  body,  where 
Mr.  Ward  is  first  mentioned,  says,  Wednesday,  Sept.  7th, 
1774: 

“The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Duche.”  And  the  same  day,  “Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


49 


Congress  be  given  to  Mr.  Duche,  by  Mr.  Cushing  and  Mr. 
Ward,  for  performing  divine  service,  and  for  the  excellent 
prayer  which  he  composed,  and  delivered  on  the  occasion.” 
After  a session  of  five  or  six  weeks,  most  of  which  time  was 
passed  in  secret  conclave,  the  Congress  adjourned  to  meet 
again  on  the  tenth  day  of  the  next  May,  and  Mr.  Ward 
return  joyfully  to  his  home.  The  care  of  his  motherless 
family  had  fallen  upon  his  unmarried  sisters,  who  came  to 
reside  at  his  house  for  that  purpose,  when  he  left  for  Phila- 
delphia, and  who  remained  there  with  great  fidelity  until 
death  smote  the  shepherd  of  the  flock. 

At  a meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony, 
called  for  that  purpose  immediately  after  his  return,  the 
delegates  made  a report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Congress, 
for  which  they  received  a vote  of  thanks. 

In  the  spring  of  1775,  the  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  met 
again,  and  passed  acts  to  raise  men  and  money  to  assist 
their  brethren  of  Massachusetts ; the  news  of  the  battle  of 
Lexington  having  swept  over  the  land  and  thrilled  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  of  Rhode  Island  like  an  electric  shock. 

It  has  been  a source  of  pride,  that  I have  been  able  to 
present  facts  in  this  memoir,  to  show  the  alacrity  with  which 
the  colony  of  Rhode  Island  took  part  in  the  first  movements 
of  resistance  to  the  arbitrary  laws  of  Great  Britain.  Indeed 
it  took  the  initiative  in  some  of  the  most  important  acts. 
The  delegates  to  Congress  were  appointed  before  any  others 
in  the  Colonies ; an  act  was  passed  by  the  Assembly,  making 
it  a crime  to  furnish  supplies  to  the  British  ships,  or  to 
pilot  them  through  our  waters ; and  the  act  of  allegiance  to 
the  British  Crown  was  repealed  two  months  before  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence.  But  in  every  great  work  of  progress, 
hindrances  appear,  and  difficulties  multiply,  which  are  only 
overcome  by  a determined  perseverance,  and  a stern  adherence 
to  justice  and  truth.  In  this  case  an  unexpected  obstacle 
to  the  patriotic  acts  of  the  Assembly  appeared  in  the  chief 
executive  officer  of  the  Colony.  The  Governor  of  Rhode 
Island  at  that  time  was  Mr.  Joseph  Wanton,  of  Newport, 
who  had  a formidable  idea  of  the  power  and  invincibility 
of  the  British  Government,  and  whose  chief  claims  for  im- 


50 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


mortality  are  that  he  was  numbered  among  the  executive 
officers  in  America,  who  were  unfaithful  to  their  trusts.  He 
entered  his  feeble  protest  against  the  spirited  acts  of  the 
General  Assembly,  but  no  attention  was  paid  to  it  by  the  ex- 
cited people,  except  to  express  their  scorn  and  detestation 
of  his  act,  or  their  derision  of  the  boasted  prowess  and  valor 
of  the  troops  of  his  master.  The  Colonists  were  fully  pre- 
pared to  take  the  reins  of  government  in  their  own  hands 
and  to  go  to  even  greater  extrem.es  in  vindication  of  their 
rights. 

At  a meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  shortly  after  the 
Governor’s  protest,  an  act  Vv^as  passed  which  stripped  him 
of  his  authority,  and  bestowed  it  upon  Mr.  Nicholas  Cooke, 
a merchant  of  Providence,  whose  firm  guidance  carried  us 
through  the  trying  scenes  of  the  Revolution.  Henry  Ward, 
the  Secretary  of  State,  had,  meanwhile,  signed  all  the  public 
documents  after  the  protest  of  the  unfaithful  Governor,  by 
order  of  the  Assembly. 

The  Journal  of  Congress,  to  which  we  shall  now  be 
obliged  frequently  to  refer,  contains  the  notice  of  the  arrival 
of  Mr.  Ward  at  the  Congress  of  1775,  the  second  year  of  his 
appointment.  It  occurred  during  an  interesting  debate,  but 
his  return  was  so  joyfully  received  that  the  debate  was  inter- 
rupted by  his  entrance.  The  entry  is  as  follows:  “May  15, 
1775,  During  the  debate,  Samuel  Ward,  Esqr.,  one  of  the 
delegates  from  Rhode  Island,  appeared  and  produced  his  cre- 
dentials, which  being  read,  were  approved,  and  are  as  follows : 
‘By  the  Honorable,  the  General  A^ssembly  of  the  English 
Colony  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  in  New 
England,  America:  To  the  Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Sam- 
uel Ward,  Esqrs.,  greeting:  Whereas,  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Colony  aforesaid,  have  nominated  and  appointed  you, 
the  said  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Samuel  Ward,  to  represent  the 
people  of  this  Colony,  in  a General  Congress  of  the  Repre- 
sentatives from  this  and  other  Colonies,  to  be  holden  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  and  there,  in  behalf  of  this  Colony,  to 
meet  and  join  with  the  commissioners,  or  delegates  from  the 
other  Colonies  in  consulting  upon  proper  measures  to  obtain 
a repeal  of  the  several  acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  for  levy- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


51 


ing  taxes  upon  His  Majesty’s  subjects  in  America,  without 
their  consent,  and  upon  proper  measures  to  establish  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  the  Colonies,  upon  a just  and  solid  founda- 
tion, agreeable  to  the  instructions  given  you  by  the  General 
Assembly.  By  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  I 
Henry  Ward  ^sqr.,  Secretary  of  the  said  Colony,  have  here- 
unto set  my  hand,  and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  said  Colony, 
this  seventh  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1775,  and  in  the  fifteenth  year 
of  the  reign  of  his  most  sacred  Majesty,  George  the  Third, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Great  Britain,  etc.  (Signed) 
Henry  Ward.’  ” 

Mr.  Hopkins  arrived  and  took  his  seat  three  days  sub- 
sequently. The  next  day  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Hopkins, 
Congress  resolved  themselves  into  a committee  of  the  whole, 
and  Mr.  Ward  was  called  to  preside,  by  Mr.  John  Hancock, 
the  President.  Behold  now  the  farmer,  whose  education 
in  the  common  schools  was  considered  sufficient  for  the  sphere 
in  which  he  was  expected  to  move,  seated  in  a position  in 
which  any  man  might  well  be  proud  to  occupy.  Let  no 
younger  man  hereafter  despair,  however  obscure  his  origin, 
or  humble  his  calling,  honesty,  industry,  perseverance,  will 
place  him  where  his  talents  will  find  exercise.  As  sure  as 
that  Vv^ater  seeks  and  will  find  its  true  level,  so  sure  will  untir- 
ing efforts,  well  directed,  secure  him  the  position  he  is  qual- 
ified to  honor  and  sustain.  But  let  him  not  for  a moment 
suppose  that  when  he  leaves  the  school-room  his  education 
is  finished.  We  have  proof  that  all  the  leisure  hours  of 
Samuel  Ward,  at  Newport,  while  attending  the  sessions  of 
the  Assembly,  and  when  seated  in  the  Gubernatorial  chair, 
were  devoted  to  study.  At  Westerly,  especially,  the  morning 
hours  often  struck  before  the  light  in  his  library  was 
extinguished.  His  political  enemies  declared  that  in  these 
nocturnal  sittings  he  was  maturing  some  dangerous  plot 
against  the  colony;  but  his  friends  knew  that  he  was  striv- 
ing for  a deeper  insight  into  those  profound  depths,  from 
which  emanate  the  sources  of  all  power  and  wisdom. 

Knowledge — not  wealth — is  power,  and  he  knew  it.  He 
was  preparing  himself  for  future  usefulness,  with  a prescience 
which  at  this  day  may  be  considered  remarkable.  He  dis- 


52 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


tinctly  saw  from  the  first,  to  what  the  odious  laws  of  the 
British  Parliament  would  lead,  and  silently  and  steadily  girded 
himself  for  that  conflict.  He  had  been  in  possession  of  a 
large  estate,  which  was  being  exhausted  by  his  continual 
absence ; by  the  improvidence  of  unthrifty  servants  and  agents ; 
a large,  and  necessarily  expensive  family,  too  young  to  render 
him  any  substantial  assistance  which  were  not  fully  repaid  by 
the  colony.  But  with  him  there  was  no  wavering.  He  was 
well  aware  that  the  most  successful  man  in  the  world  is 
not  he  w'ho  can  exhibit  the  greatest  number  of  deeds,  but  he 
who  seeks,  finds,  and  embraces  the  most  opportunities  for  bene- 
fiting his  fellow-men ; and  to  that  end  he  was  ready  to  sacrifice 
his  \vealth  in  sustaining  those  truths  which  were  afterwards  sol- 
emnly declared  to  be  self-evident.  In  addition  to  his  duties 
as  President  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  Mr.  Ward  served 
upon  other  various  important  committees,  never  refusing  any 
dutv,  however  laborious,  which  was  presented  for  his  ac- 
ceptance. Owing  to  a serious  physical  difficulty.  Gov.  Hop- 
kins was  rendered  unable  to  take  any  part  upon  the  com- 
mittees where  a correspondence  was  required,  consequently 
the  whole  of  that  official  duty  of  the  delegation  fell  upon  Mr. 
Ward.  But  no  com.plaint  was  ever  heard  from  him  because 
of  this  occasion  of  labor,  except  allusion  to  it  in  his  letters 
to  his  family,  in  one  of  which  he  says.  “I  am  almost  worn  out 
with  attention  to  business.  I am  upon  a Standing  Committee 
of  Claims,  which  meets  every  morning  before  Congress,  and 
upon  the  Secret  Committee,  which  meets  almost  every  after- 
noon; and  these,  with  a close  attendance  upon  Congress,  and 
writing  my  letters,  make  my  duty  very  hard,  and  I cannot 
get  time  to  ride  or  take  any  other  exercise.  But  I hope  the 
business  will  not  be  so  pressing  very  long.” 

During  the  month  of  August,  1775,  Congress  had  a recess 
of  thirty  days,  in  which  Mr.  Ward  again  visited  his  home. 
While  there  he  attended  a meeting  of  the  General  Assembly 
and  the  delegates  conjointly  made  a report  of  the  doing 
of  the  body  of  which  they  were  members.  In  the  month 
of  September  of  this  year,  Congress  re-assembled  after  the 
appointed  recess  had  expired. 

The  expiration  of  the  recess  of  Congress,  brought  to- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


53 


gether  the  same  men  who  had  previously  composed  that  body, 
but  with  very  different  feelings  in  their  breasts  from  those 
which  had  actuated  them  when  they  separated.  Doubt  and 
dismay  then  prevailed  in  the  breasts  of  all,  but  especially  in 
the  breasts  of  those  who  were  constitutionally  timid.  Dis- 
may! not  of  the  consequences  of  the  struggle  to  themselves 
personally,  but  at  the  thought  of  the  dreadful  effects  of  war ; 
the  shedding  of  blood  and  the  burning  of  towns,  and  doubt 
of  the  final  success  of  a feeble  community  against  a great 
Empire  in  arms. 

But  when  they  reassembled,  one  glance  at  their  counte- 
nances showed  that  a change  had  occurred.  They  had  met 
and  sounded  the  opinions  of  their  constituents  and  the  firm 
spirit  and  determination  which  was  everywhere  visible  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  aggressions  of  Britain,  had  animated  their  hearts 
and  fired  their  souls  with  a new  zeal. 

From  the  time  of  the  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act,  and 
while  Mr.  Ward  was  Governor  of  the  Colony,  I believe  he 
understood  the  result  of  the  taxation  laws  of  Great  Britain. 
In  private  life  he  had  frequently  spoken  of  our  final  dis- 
connection with  the  parent  country  in  consequence  of  their 
continuation  in  that  course. 

That  such  was  the  fact,  may  be  proved  from  an  extract 
in  a letter  to  his  brother,  written  about  that  time, 
in  which  he  says:  “When  I first  entered  this  contest  with 
Great  Britain  I extended  my  views  through  the  various  scenes 
which  my  judgment,  my  imagination,  (say  which  you  please) 
pointed  out  to  me.  I saw  clearly  that  the  last  act  of  this  cruel 
tragedy  would  close  in  fields  of  blood.  I have  traced  the 
progress  of  this  unnatural  war  through  burning  towns,  devas- 
tation of  the  country,  and  every  subsequent  evil.  I have  real- 
ized, with  regard  to  myself  the  bullet,  the  bayonet,  and  the 
halter;  and,  compared  with  the  immense  object  I have  in  view, 
they  are  less  than  nothing.  No  man  living,  perhaps,  is  more 
fond  of  his  children  than  I am,  and  I am  not  so  old  as  to  be 
tired  of  life;  and  yet,  as  far  as  I can  judge  the  tenderest  con- 
nections and  the  most  important  private  concerns  are  very  mi- 
nute objects.  Heaven  save  my  country,  I was  going  to  say,  is 
m.y  first,  my  last,  and  almost  my  only  prayer.”  But  in  addition 


54 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


to  the  weight  of  patriotic  duties  which  devolved  upon  him,  Mr. 
Ward  had  now  another  source  of  anxiety  in  the  fate  of  his  son, 
Samuel  Ward,  Jr.,  now  about  twenty  years  of  age,  who  had 
joined  the  detachment  under  the  command  of  Col.  Benedict 
Arnold,  for  the  reduction  of  Canada.  Two  hundred  and  fifty 
troops  had  volunteered  from  Rhode  Island  upon  that  distant 
and  perilous  expedition,  and  Samuel  Ward,  Jr.,  Vv^as  appointed 
to  a Captain’s  comnuand  over  them.  In  speaking  of  this  ex- 
cellent young  man,  I cannot  do  better  than  copy  from  the 
American  Annual  Register,  of  1832,  an  account  of  his  career : 
‘‘Capt.  Ward  was  educated  in  Brown  University,  in  Provi- 
dence, and  hostilities  commencing  about  the  time  he  left  col- 
lege, he  joined  the  Rhode  Island  army  of  observation,  of 
v/hich  he  was  appointed  a Captain  on  the  8th  of  May,  [7/5, 
the  army  being  raised  in  the  name  of  his  Majesty,  George 
III,  for  the  preservation  of  his  Majesty’s  loyal  and  faithful 
subjects  of  the  colony  of  Rhode  Island.  His  commission 
(which  was  given  by  his  uncle,  Henry  Ward,  the  Secretary 
of  Rhode  Island,  the  Governor  and  Lieut.  Governor  being 
Tories)  authorized  him,  in  case  of  an  invasion  of  assault  of 
a common  enemy  to  infest  or  disturb  this  or  any  other  of  his 
Majesty’s  colonies  in  America,  to  drav/  and  gather  together, 
the  company  under  your  command,  and  therev/ith,  to  the 

utmost  of  your  skill  and  ability,  you  are  to  resist,  expel  kill 

and  destroy  them  in  order  to  preserve  the  interest  of  his 
Majesty  and  his  good  subjects  in  these  parts.” 

Like  their  brothers,  the  Covenanters — 

''Who  swore  at  first  to  fight 

For  the  King’s  safety  and  his  rights. 

And  after  marched  to  find  him  out 

And  charged  him  home  with  horse  and  foot.” 

The  Whigs  of  the  Revolution  found  no  inconsistency 

in  availing  themselves  of  the  authorit}/  of  the  King  as  'the 
constitutional  head  of  the  government,  to  preserve  and  main- 
tain their  constitutional  rights.  In  the  month  of  May,  1775, 
the  father  and  son  both  left  their  home — the  one  to  repre- 
sent the  colony  in  the  Continental  Congress,  and  the  other 
to  defend  her  liberties  in  the  field.  He  joined  the  army 
besieging  Boston — burning  with  a vehemient  desire  to  vindi- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


55 


cate  the  rights  of  the  colonies.  In  one  of  his  letters  to  his 
family,  dated  Prospect  Hall,  July  30,  1775,  addressing  his 
younger  brothers,  he  says,  “As  you  grow  in  stature,  pray  take 
pains  to  be  manly ; remember  that  you  may  all  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  standing  forth  to  fight  the  battles  of  our  country.  This 
afternoon  we  expected  to  have  an  engagement.  We  may 
have  one  tonight.  The  Regulars  are  now  landing  in  Charles- 
twon  from  Boston.  I thank  God  we  are  ready  to  meet  them.” 
With  such  an  ardent  spirit,  young  Ward  was  not  likely 
to  hesitate  in  embracing  an  opportunity  of  advancing  the 
cause  he  had  espoused.  In  September,  i775>  Gen.  Arnold, 
then  one  of  the  most  enterprising  of  America’s  sons  (but 
afterwards  ‘‘quantum  mutatus  abillo  Hectare  T v/as  invested 
with  the  commiand  of  1,100  volunteers,  destined  to  join  Mont- 
gomery at  Quebec,  by  way  of  Kennebec  River.  The  country 
was  then  an  unexplored  v/ilderness,  and  so  great  were  the 
difficulties  they  encountered,  that  part  of  the  detachment 
actually  abandoned  the  expedition  and  returned  to  Cam- 
bridge to  avoid  starvation.  Capt.  Ward  and  his  company 
persevered,  and  after  unheard  of  privations  arrived  before 
Quebec  in  Novemxber,  1775. 

A letter  from  him  on  the  26th  of  that  month  to  his  family, 
dated  at  Point  au  Tumblers,  gives  a vivid  account  of  the 
hardships  of  the  expedition : “It  would  take  too  much  time 
to  tell  you  what  we  have  undergone;  however,  as  a sum- 
mary of  the  whole,  we  have  gone  up  one  of  the  most  rapid 
rivers  in  the  world,  where  the  water  is  so  shoal,  that  moder- 
ately speaking,  we  have  waded  100  miles.  We  were  thirty 
days  in  the  wilderness,  that  none  but  savages  ever  attempted 
to  pass.  We  marched  100  miles  upon  short  three  days’  pro- 
snow and  ice,  barefoot,  passed  over  the  St.  Lawrence,  where 
it  was  guarded  by  the  enemies’  frigates,  and  are  now  about 
twenty-four  miles  from  the  city,  to  recruit  our  worn  out 
natures.  Gen.  Montgomery  intends  to  join  us  immediately, 
so  that  we  have  a winter’s  campaign  before  us,  but  I trust 
we  shall  have  the  glory  of  taking  Quebec.”  That  hope  un- 
happily, was  not  realized.  The  attack  upon  that  city  failed 
and  Captain  Ward,  with  the  principal  part  of  his  company, 
having  under  the  command  of  Arnold,  penetrated  through 


56 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


the  first  barrier,  was  surrounded  by  a superior  force,  and 
compelled  to  surrender.  While  in  captivity  he  received  the 
following'  letter  from  his  father,  which,  from  the  excellence 
of  its  sentiments,  and  as  fully  illustrating  the  principles  of 
the  leading  patriots  of  that  time,  we  insert  at  length : 

Jan’y  21,  1776,  Phifia. 

My  Dear  Son: — I most  devoutly  thank  God  that  you 
are  alive,  in  good  health,  and  have  behaved  well.  You 
have  now  a new  scene  of  action,  to  behave  well  as  a prisoner. 
You  have  been  taught  from  your  infancy  the  love  of  God, 
of  all  mankind,  and  especially  of  your  country ; in  a due  dis- 
charge of  these  various  duties  of  life,  consist  true  honor,  re- 
ligion and  virtue.  I hope  no  situation  or  trial,  however  se- 
vere, will  tempt  you  to  violate  those  sound,  immutable  laws 
of  God  and  nature.  You  will  now  have  time  for  reflection; 
improve  it  well  and  examine  your  own  heart.  Eradicate,  as 
much  as  human  frailty  admits,  the  seeds  of  vice  and  folly. 
Correct  your  temper.  Expand  benevolent  feelings  of  your 
soul,  and  impress  and  establish  the  noble  principles  of  pri- 
vate and  public  virtue  so  deeply  in  it,  that  your  whole  life 
may  be  directed  by  them.  Next  to  these  great  and  essential 
udties,  improve  your  mind  by  the  best  authors  you  can  bor- 
row. Learn  the  Erench  language,  and  be  continually  ac- 
quiring, as  far  as  your  situation  admits,  every  useful  accom- 
plishment. Shun  every  species  of  debauchery  and  vice,  as 
certain  and  inevitable  ruin  here  and  hereafter.  There  is  one 
vice,  which,  though  often  met  in  polite  company,  I cannot 
consider  but  as  unworthy  of  a gentleman  as  well  as  a Chris- 
tian. I mean  swearing.  Avoid  it  at  all  times. 

All  ranks  of  people  here  have  the  highest  sense  of  the 
great  bravery  and  merit  of  Colonel  Arnold,  and  all  his  offi- 
cers and  men.  Though  prisoners,  they  have  acquired  im- 
mortal honor.  Proper  attention  will  be  paid  to  them.  In 
the  meantime,  behave,  my  dear  son,  with  great  circumspec- 
tion, prudence  and  firmness.  Enter  into  no  engagements  in- 
consistent with  your  duty  to  your  country,  and  such  as  you 
may  keep  inviolate  with  the  strictest  honor.  Beside  endeavor- 
ing to  make  yourself  as  easy  and  comfortable  as  possiblbe 
in  your  present  situation,  you  will  pay  the  greatest  attention. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


57 


as  far  as  your  little  power  may  admit,  to  the  comfort  and 
welfare  of  all  your  fellow  prisoners,  and  of  those  lately  un- 
der your  immediate  command,  especially. 

Capt.  Ward  was  exchanged  in  1776,  and  on  the  first  of 
January,  1777,  was  commissioned  as  Major  in  Col.  Christo- 
pher Green’s  regiment  of  the  Rhode  Island  line,  a worthy 
compeer  of  his  brother,  Gen.  Greene.  '‘Scipiados  duo  ful- 
inina  belli” 

In  that  capacity  he  was  present  and  co-operated  in  the 
gallant  defense  of  his  native  State,  under  the  commands  of 
Generals  Greene,  Lafayette  and  Sullivan.  In  the  celebrated 
retreat  from  Rhode  Island  he  commanded  a regiment,  and 
on  the  twelfth  of  April,  1779,  he  was  commissioned  Lieut. 
Colonel  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  Regiment.  During  that 
and  the  following  year  he  was  in  Washington’s  army  in  New 
Jersey,  and  participated  in  the  toil  and  glory  of  that  service. 
At  the  termination  of  the  war.  Col.  Ward  returned  to  the 
peaceful  pursuits  of  a citizen,  with  the  same  alacrity  that  he 
had  manifested  when  his  country’s  voice  had  called  him  to 
arms.  He  now  commenced  business  as  a merchant,  and  mani- 
fested as  much  enterprise  in  his  new  profession  as  he  had  in 
his  previous  career. 

In  the  spring  of  1783,  he  made  a voyage  from  Provi- 
dence to  Canton,  and  was  among  the  first  to  display  “the 
republican  flag”  in  the  China  seas.  Upon  his  return  to  the 
United  States,  he  established  himself  at  New  York  as  a 
merchant,  and  by  his  probity,  frugality,  and  industry,  be- 
came successful  in  his  business.  In  the  course  of  his  mer- 
cantile career  he  visited  Europe,  and  was  at  Paris  when 
Louis  XVI.  was  beheaded.  After  his  return  from  Europe, 
Col.  Ward  established  himself  on  a farm  at  East  Greenwich, 
R.  I.,  where  he  lived  to  see  his  children  educated  to  useful- 
ness, and  establish  themselves  in  the  business  of  active  life. 
In  1817,  with  a view  of  being  nearer  his  children,  several 
of  whom  had  embarked  in  business  in  New  York,  he  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  to  Jamaica,  on  Long  Island. 
Here,  and  in  the  city  of  New  York,  he  resided  in  the  midst 
of  his  family  and  friends,  by  whom  he  was  admired  and  be- 


58  GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 

loved  for  his  manifold  virtues,  until  the  termination  of  his 
long  and  useful  career. 

This  dutiful  son,  and  his  excellent  father,  never  met 
again  on  earth.  The  father  was  called  to  hs  great  reward, 
but  the  son  was  continued  here,  to  illustrate  to  the  world  the 
great  effects  of  his  precepts  and  example.  The  last  notice 
of  Gov.  Ward  upon  the  journal  of  Congress,  previous  to  the 
announcement  of  his  death,  is  dated  March  13,  1776,  when 
he  reported  the  doings  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
the  Whole. 

For  a day  or  two  before  he  felt  quite  unwell,  but  had 
persisted  in  performing  his  customary  duties.  He  died  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  25th  day  of  March,  1776,  in 
the  51st  year  of  his  age,  of  small  pox.  It  is  said  he  had  a 
strong  repugnance  to  the  practice  of  inoculation,  which  had 
been  in  vogue  since  1721,  and  resisted  the  persuasions  of  his 
friends  to  take  the  disease  in  that  manner.  Vaccination  as 
a preventative  was  then  unknown. 

But  v/hen  death  approached  it  found  him  ready.  A life 
nobly  spent  in  the  discharge  of  every  public  and  private  duty, 
had  prepared  him  to  relinquish  his  Maker’s  gift  without 
murmuring,  and  he  descended  to  the  grave 

“Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams.” 

He  died  as  the  patriot  dies ; at  the  post  of  duty,  battling 
for  his  country’s  rights.  He  died  like  a Christian ; with  im- 
plicit confidence  in  the  justice  and  mercy  of  his  Creator. 

The  death  of  Gov.  Ward  cast  a gloom  over  Congress. 
His  loss  was  felt  to  be  a national  calamity,  and  it  was  truly 
said  upon  the  announcement  of  the  event,  that  “the  land 
mourneth.”  John  Adams  in  a letter  to  his  wife,  said,  “We 
have  this  week  lost  a very  valuable  friend  of  the  colonies  in 
Gov.  Ward  of  Rhode  Island,  by  the  small  pox  in  the  natural 
way.  He  never  would  harken  to  his  friends,  who  have  been 
constantly  advising  him  to  inoculate,  ever  since  the  first 
Congress  began.  But  he  would  not  be  persuaded. 

“Numbers  who  have  been  inoculated,  have  gone  through 
the  distemper  without  any  danger,  or  even  confinement,  but 
nothing  would  do.  He  must  take  it  in  the  natural  way  and 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


59 


die.  He  was  an  amiable  and  sensible  man,  a steadfast  friend 
of  his  country  upon  very  pure  principles.  His  funeral  was 
attended  with  the  same  solemnities  as  Mr.  Randolph’s.  Mr. 
Stillman  being  the  Anabaptist  minister  here,  of  which  per- 
suasion was  the  Governor,  was  desired  by  Congress  to  preach 
a sermon,  which  he  did  with  great  applause.” 

The  following  is  the  order  of  Congress  respecting  his 
funeral : 

March  26,  1776.  The  Congress  being  informed  that 
Mr.  Ward,  one  of  the  delegates  of  Rhode  Island,  died 
yesterday. 

Resolved,  that  this  Congress  will  in  a body  attend  the 
funeral  of  Mr.  Ward,  tomorrow,  with  crape  round  the  arm, 
and  will  continue  in  mourning  for  the  space  of  one  month. 

Resolved,  that  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Samuel  Adams,  and 
Mr.  Wolcott,  be  a committee  to  superintend  the  funeral,  and 
that  they  be  directed  to  apply  to  Rev.  Mr.  Stillman,  and  re- 
quest him  to  preach  a funeral  sermon  on  the  occasion ; that 
the  said  committee  be  directed  to  invite  the  Assembly  and 
Committee  of  Safety  of  Penn.,  and  other  public  bodies,  to 
attend  the  funeral.  The  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island, 
also,  at  their  next  session  in  May,  passed  the  following  vote : 
Whereas,  the  Hon.  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.,  late  delegate  for 
this  colony  in  the  Continental  Congress,  hath  lately  deceased 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia ; In  testimony  of  the  respect  due 
to  his  memory  and  in  grateful  remembrance  of  his  public 
services. 

Resolved,  that  his  Executors  'or  Administrators  are  de- 
sired, as  soon  as  may  be,  to  exhibit  to  this  Assembly  an  ac- 
count of  his  funeral  expenses,  for  payment : And  it  is  further 
resolved.  That  the  delegate  for  this  colony,  for  the  time  be- 
ing, be  instructed  to  erect  a decent  tombstone  or  monument 
of  marble,  with  such  inscription  as  they  shall  think  suitable, 
over  the  place  where  his  body  hath  been  deposited,  at  the 
expense  of  this  colony. 

On  his  death  bed.  Gov.  Ward  said  that  if  his  “vote  and 
voice  were  necessary  to  support  the  cause  of  his  country,  he 
should  live ; if  not,  he  should  die.”  “He  died,”  says  John 
John  Adams,  “and  the  cause  of  his  country  was  supported. 


6o 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


but  it  lost  one  of  its  most  sincere  and  punctual  advocates.” 
Mr.  Ward  was  a member  of  the  Seventh-day  Baptist  church 
of  Westerly,  and  died  in  that  faith.  Among  his  papers  was 
found  a copy  of  his  confession  of  faith,  which  was  sub- 
mitted to  the  church  when  he  was  admitted,  but  I have  yet 
been  unable  to  find  upon  the  church  records.  His  wife,  also, 
was  a member  of  the  same  church,  and  his  father  and  family, 
members  of  the  like  persuasion  at  Newport. 

He  was  interred  in  the  burying  ground  of  the  First 
Baptist  Society  in  Philadelphia,  inside  the  church,  in  the 
middle  of  what  was  the  main  aisle.  A plain  marble  slab 
was  placed  over  his  remains,  which  slab  was  used  as  a part 
of  the  floor  until  a few  years  ago.  The  inscription  is  now 
nearly  obliterated  by  the  feet  of  the  passers,  and  by  the  en- 
croachment of  time.  Some  changes  have  been  made  in  the 
church,  which  have  brought  the  pulpit  and  the  baptismal 
font,  directly  over  his  grave.  It  is  now  concealed  from  the 
eyes  of  his  fellow  men,  and  no  memorial  exists  to  tell  to  the 
world  that  such  a man  ever  lived.  The  State  of  Rhode  Is- 
land owes  him  a monument,  and  that  monument  should  be 
erected  in  the  town  of  Westerly.  His  fame  belongs  to  us, 
and  here  should  his  name  be  perpetuated. 

Mr.  Ward’s  will  was  presented  for  Probate  in  May,  1776, 
and  was  as  follows : 

‘T,  Samuel  Ward,  of  Westerly,  in  the  County  of  Kings, 
and  the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island,  Esqr.,  being  by  the  good- 
ness of  God  in  a good  state  of  health  and  of  sound  and  dis- 
posing mind  and  memory,  and  sensible  of  the  uncertainty  of 
life,  do  make  and  ordain  my  last  Will  and  Testament  in 
manner  following ; that  is  to  say ; 

Imprimis,  I will  that  all  my  just  debts  and  funeral  ex- 
penses be  honestly  paid  as  soon  after  my  decease  as  the  sit- 
uation of  the  estate  which  I leave  will  admit. 

Item.  I give  and  bequeath  unto  my  beloved  son,  Charles 
Ward,  fifty  dollars,  to  be  paid  to  him  in  three  years  after  my 
decease,  by  my  executors. 

Item.  Having  lately  married  my  daughter  Katherine, 
and  given  her  a few  things,  amounting  in  all  to  about  seventy- 
five  pounds  lawful  m.oney,  I do  in  order  that  I may  dis- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


6l 


tribute  my  estate  as  equally  as  possible  amongst  my  ten 
children,  in  general,  give  and  bequeath  unto  each  of  the 
other  children;  to  wit.,  Hannah  Ward,  Anne  Ward,  Mary 
Ward,  Samuel  Ward,  Deborah  Ward,  Simon  Ray  Ward, 
John  Ward,  Richard  Ward,  and  Elizabeth  Ward,  the  afore- 
said sum  of  seventy-five  pounds  lawful  money,  to  each  and 
every  of  them,  to  be  paid  them  respectively  as  soon  as  it 
can  be  raised  out  of  the  estate  which  I leave. 

Item.  All  the  rest,  residue,  and  remainder  of  my  es- 
tate, both  real  and  personal,  whatever,  or  wheresoever  the 
same  may  be,  I give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  children, 
Hannah,  Anne,  Katharine,  Mary,  Samuel,  Deborah,  Simon 
Ray,  John,  Richard  and  Elizabeth  Ward,  to  be  equally  di- 
vided between  them  and  their  heirs  and  held  and  enjoyed  in 
severalty  accordingly  forever. 

Item.  Should  any  one  or  more  of  my  children  above 
mentioned,  die  before  the  age  of  twenty-one,  or  without 
leaving  lawful  issue,  I now  give  and  bequeath  and  devise  to 
the  survivor  or  survivors  of  my  ten  last  named  children  and 
their  heirs  forever,  to  be  equally  divided  between  them. 

Item.  I have  a most  kind  and  effectionate  remembrance 
of  m}^  Brothers  and  Sisters  and  other  near  relatives  and 
friends ; but  the  heavy  misfortunes  which  I have  met  with, 
forbid  any  other  acknowledgement  of  it,  than  this  sincere 
(tho’  verbal  one)  contained  in  this  clause.  Lastly,  I nomi- 
nate, constitute,  and  appoint  William  Greene,  Esqr.,  of  War- 
wick; Mr.  Benjamin  Clarke,  of  Stonington;  and  Henry  Mar- 
chant,  Esqr.,  of  Newport,  sole  executors  of  this  my  last  Will 
and  Testament,  earnestly  entreating  them  to  add  this  one 
instance  of  their  regard  for  their  sincere  friend  to  the  many 
already  received,  of  taking  charge  of  the  estate  which  he 
leaves,  and  making  the  most  of  it  for  his  children.  And  I 
hereby  utterly  revoke  and  disannull  all  former  or  other  wills 
heretofore  made  by  me,  ratifying  and  confirming  this  to  be 
my  only  last  Will  and  Testament.  In  witness  whereof  I 
have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  this  twenty-second  day 
of  August,  Anoy.  Don.,  1774. 


Sam  Ward. 


62 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


Signed,  sealed,  published,  etc.,  in  presence  of 

Ethan  Clarke, 

Christopher  Clarke, 
Thomas  Hall. 

The  inventory  of  his  personal  property  was  taken  the 
3d  day  of  May,  1776,  and  amounted  to  1,119  pounds,  14 
shillings,  4 pence  lawful  money.  The  executors  of  the  Will 
having  declined  the  trust,  the  Court  of  Probate  appointed 
Capt.  Ethan  Clarke  Administrator,  with  the  Will  annexed, 
who  proceeded  to  administer  upon  the  estate.  At  a subse- 
quent meeting  of  the  Court  he  appeared  and  represented  the 
personal  property  insufficient  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  de- 
ceased; whereupon 'Messrs.  Job  Bennett  and  Phineas  Clarke 
were  appointed  to  receive  and  examine  the  claims  against 
the  estate.  An  order  was  afterwards  granted  by  the  Su- 
perior Court  to  sell  enough  of  the  real  estate  to  meet  the 
outstanding  debts.  The  claims  amounted  to  4,166  pounds, 
12  shillings,  7 pence.  The  space  occupied  by  the  inventory 
was  ten  pages  of  the  large  book  of  records ; the  articles  in 
each  room,  headed  Vv^ith  the  name  of  the  room  where  they 
were  found,  such  as  “West  Keeping  Room,’’  “East  Great 
Room,”  “North  Keeping  Room.” 

His  silver  plate  consisted  of  i Tankard,  2 Cans,  2 Por- 
ringers, I Searver,  i Cream-pot,  12  Table  Spoons,  7 Tea- 
Spoons  and  I pair  of  Sugar  Tongs. 

His  stock  upon  the  farm  numbered  222  head,  viz.,  6 
Horses,  8 pairs  Oxen,  18  Cows,  7 Calves,  12  young  Cattle, 
147  Sheep,  and  30  Swine.  His  Library,  which  was  situated 
in  the  “Upper  Entry,”  consisted  of  the  small  number  of  94 
volumes ; but  that  its  selections  might  be  observed,  I here- 
with present  it  in  full:  i Folio  Bible,  i Folio  Concordance 

to  the  Bible,  i Law  of  Evidence,  i Institutes  of  the  Laws  of 
England,  i Latin  Dictionary,  i History  of  Martyrs,  i Ham- 
mond’s Annotations  on  the  New  Testament,  i Giles  Jacob’s 
Law  Dictionary,  i complete  Body  of  Husbandry,  i History 
of  the  Worthies  of  England,  i Latin  Bible  and  Holy  War,  2 
Vols.  James  Foster  on  Natural  Religion,  i Bacon’s  complete 
Arbitrator,  i Rights  of  the  Colonies  displayed  and  History 
of  the  Church,  i Pope’s  Essay  on  Man,  i Colony  Law  Book, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


63 


2 Vols.  Bailey’s  Dictionary,  i Mayhew’s  Sermons,  4 Vols. 
Gredoux’s  Connections,  2 Vols.  Spirit  of  Laws,  i Garyather, 
I Blackstone’s  Analysis  on  the  Laws  of  England,  i Arith- 
metic, I Cunningham’s  Law  Bills  of  Exchange,  i English 
Dispensatory,  2 Vols.  Puffender’s  Introduction^  i-  Doct. 
Wright’s  Treatise,  2 Vols.  Pope’s  Works,  3 Vols.  Joseph 
Stennett’s  Sermons,  i James  Poster  on  Christian  Revela- 
tion, 16  Vols.  Rollin’s  Roman  History,  i Gordian’s  Geogra- 
phy of  England,  i Salmon’s  Georgraphy,  i Republic  of  Hol- 
land, I Antiquities  of  Rome,  4 Vols.  Dr.  James  Poster’s 
Sermons,  4 Vols.  Religious  Philosopher,  i Sermons,  i Brom- 
bly  on  New  Birth,  i Herodotus’  History,  13  Vols.  Latin 
Books,  I Watt’s  Eirst  Principles  of  Astronomy,  2 Vols.  Ad- 
dison’s Trewels,  i Matthew  Hall’s  Contemplations,  2 Bur- 
nett’s Hist.  Reformation,  i Grammar,  i Catechism  and  Po- 
tent Energy  of  America. 

Gov.  Ward  left  ten  children  at  his  death,  the  original 
number  eleven  having  been  lessened  in  1774,  by  the  death 
of  his  daughter,  Hannah.  Their  names  and  births  are  as  fol- 
low^ : Charles,  born  1747,  in  Newport,  died  unmarried.  Han- 
nah, bom  ^piil  12  1749,  in  Westerly,  died  unmarried,  aged 
24.  Anne,  born  Aug.  24,  1750,  in  Westerly,  Katharine, 
born  April  2,  1752,  in  Westerly,  married  Christopher  Greene 
of  East  Greenwich,  died  in  1781.  Mary,  born  Dec.  3,  1754, 
died  unmarried.  Samuel,  born  Nov.  15,  1756,  married  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Gov.  William  Green  of  Warwick,  (his  cousin) 
he  died  1832.  Deborah,  born  Oct.  12,  1758,  married  Chris- 
topher Greene  of  East  Greenwich.  She  died  in  1834.  Judge 
Richard  W.  Greene  of  East  Greenwich  was  the  son  of  De- 
borah Ward  and  Christopher  Greene.  Simon  Ray,  born  Oct. 
4,  1760,  married  Sarah  Gardiner  and  died  in  1793,  leaving 
two  daughters,  who  died  unmarried.  John,  born  July  25, 
1762,  married  Eliza'  Bowers,  died  without  issue.  Richard, 
born  March  10,  1765,  in  Tiverton,  miarried  Eliza  Boune,  died 
1808,  without  issue.  Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  16,  1767,  died 
1783,  17  years,  unmarried.  Deborah  and  Simon  Ray,  be- 
ing of  proper  age  at  their  father’s  death,  chose  their  uncle 
William  Greene  of  Warwick  to  be  their  guardian,  and  he 
was  appointed  to  the  same  office  over  the  younger  children. 


64 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


The  court  had  also  previously  appointed,  after  her  mother’s 
mother’s  death,  Mrs.  Isabel  Marchant,  widow,  then  resid- 
ing in  Westerly,  formerly  of  Newport,  guardian  to  Hannah, 
with  power  of  attorney,  ‘‘as  said  Hannah  Ward  was  de- 
prived of  her  reason,  and  incapable  of  managing  and  con- 
ducting her  affairs.  And  said  office  to  be  held  until  said 
Hannah  Ward  shall  by  Divine  Providence,  be  restored  to 
her  former  soundness  of  mind.”  Hannah  died  Sept.  8,  1774, 
in  the  24th  year  of  her  age  and  is  buried  by  her  mother’s 
side  on  the  farm.  The  farm  upon  which  Gov.  Ward  re- 
sided in  Westerly,  is  now  owned  by  Albert  B.  Langworthy, 
Esq.,  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  town.  In  front  and  between 
it  and  the  highlands  which  guard  the  beach,  a lagoon  ex- 
tends from  east  to  west,  which  is  called  “Ward’s  Pond.” 
In  1773,  Mr.  Ward  petitioned  for  the  continuance  of  a drift- 
way down  to  the  sea, 'across  the  land  of  his  neighbor,  Noyes, 
but  whether  he  succeeded  is  doubtful,  as  I have  before  me 
a long  counter-petition  or  remonstrance,  signed  by  twenty- 
nine  freemen,  among  whom  were  William  Ross,  Volintine 
Willcox,  Sam’l  Champlin,  Stephen  Gavett,  Joseph  Saunders, 
and  others.  It  will  be  seen  that  as  popular  as  the  Governor 
was,  even  in  his  own  town  he  had  opposers.  An  anecdote  is 
told  of  one  of  his  political  opponents,  and  how  he  won  him 
over,  in  connection  with  the  election  of  1765,  when  he  ran 
for  Governor,  which  is  laughable. 

Mr.  Ward’s  voice  was  peculiarly  agreeable,  and  resonant, 
and  constituted  his  principal  auxiliary  in  debate,  very  few 
being  able  to  resist  the  musical  sweetness  of  its  tone.  But 
every  Napoleon  has  his  Waterloo.  On  his  way  to  election 
this  year,  when  crossing  the  ferry  from  Conanicut  to  New- 
port, he  met  a citizen  of  that  city  whom  he  knew  well,  as  a 
Hopkins  man  and  the  Governor  determined  in  his  own  mind 
to  secure  his  vote  for  himself.  Accordingly  he  brought  up 
all  his  resources,  advancing  his  most  convincing  arguments 
and  modulating  his  voice  to  its  most  irresistible  tones;  but 
was  firmly  met  by  counter  arguments  and  declarations;  the 
man  seeming  to  be  nearly  his  match,  even  succeeding  in 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD.  65 

turning  the  tables  once  or  twice  upon  him  by  his  jokes  and 
arguments. 

The  Governor  was  somewhat  nettled  and  allowed  one 
or  two  expressions  to  escape  him,  which  indicated  the  ruffled 
state  of  his  mind.  Still  the  man  resisted  v/ith  great  firm- 
ness his  most  powerful  arguments  and  persuasions,  until 
the  boat  reached  the  vfflarf  and  they  were  just  stepping  on 
the  shore.  He  then  turned  to  the  Governor  and  made  some 
very  .insulting  expressions  within  hearing  of  the  whole  com- 
pany. This,  in  his  state  of  mind  was  more  than  his  Excel- 
lency could  endure  and  with  one  kick  of  his  boot  he  landed 
the  man  flat  on  his  face  upon  the  ground.  Slowly  and  with 
difficulty  arising  from  his  prostrate  position,  the  fellow 
turned  to  Gov.  Ward,  who  expected  and  v/as  prepared  for 
a tremendous  burst  of  rage  and  said : ^‘Governor,  I did  think 
I would  never  cast  in  prox  for  you,  but  you  have  such  a 
winning  way  that  I shall  certainly  give  you  my  vote  this 
time.”  The  roars  of  laughter  which  succeeded  this  declara- 
tion restored  the  equanimity  of  both  parties,  which  was  not 
disturbed  until  the  election  was  decided. 

Gov.  Ward  owned  at  one  time  a large  number  of  slaves, 
but  at  his  death  he  was  in  possession  of  but  two ; one  named 
James  or  Cudjo;  the  other,  Peggy,  both  of  whom  were  manu- 
mitted by  the  administrator.  In  his  deed  of  manumission,, 
Mr.  Clarke  states  that,  in  freeing  them,  he  was  but  fulfilling  the 
wishes  of  Governor  Ward,  expressed  during  his  lifetime. 

A short  distance  from  the  house,  towards  the  east,  upon- 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  is  a burying  ground  tenanted 
by  a number  of  those  faithful,  but  unfortunate  children  of; 
Africa. 

The  personal  appearance  of  Governor  Ward  was  dig- 
nified and  commanding.  Says  John  Adams : “He  was  a 
gentleman  in  his  manners,  benevolent  and  amiable  in  dispo- 
sition, and  as  decided,  ardent  and  uniform  in  his  patriotism, 
as  any  member  of  Congress. 

He  was  about  five  feet  seven  inches  in  height,  stout  built, 
with  light  complexion  and  light  or  sandy  hair.  The  most 
superstitious  of  the  people,  in  allusion  to  his  complexion, 
when  speaking  of  his  controversy  with  Mr.  Hopkins,  said. 


66 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


that  if  it  was  a fair,  pleasant  day,  Gov.  Ward  was  sure  to 
succeed ; but  if  it  was  stormy.  Gov.  Hopkins  would  be  victo- 
rious. One  was  of  a fair,  the  other  of  a dark  complexion. 

In  the  pride  and  strength  of  manhood,  thus  died  at  his 
post  of  duty,  a true  patriot.  His  last  words  showed  a Chris- 
tian faith  in  the  justice  of  the  cause  in  which  his  country 
was  strugging.  ‘‘If  my  vote  and  voice  are  necessary  to  sup- 
port the  cause  of  my  country,  I shall  live ; if  not,  I shall  die.” 
Had  he  lived  but  a few  months  longer,  his  name  would  have 
been  affixed  to  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence, 
and  thus  handed  down  to  immortality.  But  that  immortal 
honor  was  denied  him ; he  fell  in  the  “meridian  of  his  days,” 
before  the  star  of  his  country  had  arisen.  What  more  can 
a man  do,  than  to  die  for  his  country? 

Reader,  if  this  memoir  of  a worthy  and  distinguished 
citizen  shall  encourage  but  one  young  man  to  a more  suc- 
cessful perseverance,  or  to  emulate  his  integrity  and  pa- 
triotism. in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  to  society,  or  his  coun- 
try, the  author  will  have  been  perfecty  repaid. 

Yet  the  existence  of  a Revoution  mmst  not  be  considered 
necessary  to  bring  these  virtues  to  light.  The  every-day 
duties  of  life  contain  many  opportunities  for  the  exhibition 
of  self-sacrifice  and  devotion. 

Many  a true  hero  has  descended  to  the  tomb,  whose 
memory  is  cherished  only  by  a few  loving  hearts,  never  to 
appear  as  such,  until  the  day  when  all  our  actions  shall  be 
exposed  to  view,  before  whose  effulgence  the  sanguinary 
heroes  of  the  battlefield  shall  shrink  and  retire,  as  darkness 
flies  before  the  god  of  day. 

“Honor  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise. 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies.” 


The 

Life  and  Services 
of 

GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD 

rf  RHODE  ISLAND 

by  his  great-grandson 
COL.  JOHN  WARD 
of  Ne'nju  York 


The  Life  and  Services  of 
GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD 

By  his  Great-Grandson, 

Col.  John  Ward,  of  New  York. 

The  life  of  Governor  Samuel  Ward  has  been  very  ably  written 
by  Professor  William  Gammell,  and  will  be  found  in  the  ninth  volume 
of  Sparks’  Library  of  American  Biography.  In  the  preparation  of 
this  interesting  biography,  Professor  Gammell  used  many  of  the 
family  papers  now  in  the  possession  of  the  author  of  this  sketch.  It 
occurred  to  the  writer  that  so  many  more  letters  and  papers  had  been 
collected  since  that  time  by  his  late  uncle,  Richard  R.  Ward,  especially 
the  diary  of  Governor  Ward  in  the  Continental  Congress,  that  a new 
article  might  be  written,  embodying  the  best  part  of  these  documents, 
and  illustrating  the  character  of  Governor  Ward  as  an  American  states- 
mian.  Hon.  Samuel  G.  Arnold,  in  his  History  of  Rhode  Island  and  in 
his  Centennial  Address,  mentions  Governor  Ward  in  very  appropriate 
terms,  especially  alluding  to  his  refusal  to  take  the  oath  to  enforce 
the  Stamp  Act.  Dr.  George  Bancroft  mentions  this  refusal  of  the 
Governor  in  the  fifth  volume  of  his  History  of  the  United  States, 
page  351. 

The  following  sketch  was  read  by  the  author  before  the  Rhode 
Island  Historical  Society  at  Providence,  R.  L,  by  invitation,  on  Tues- 
day evening,  December  19,  1876.  It  was  published  in  the  Providence 
Journal  on  Christmas  day,  the  week  following;  and  the  writer  desires 
to  express  his  thanks  to  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  for  the 
resolutions  passed  in  regard  to  his  article,  which  are  alluded  to  in  the 
notice  of  the  meeting  in  the  Providence  Journal  of  the  20th  instant. 


The  life  of  a great  and  eminently  good  man  leaves  an 
impress  on  his  generation,  which  is  very  lasting  in  its  effects; 
although  his  fame  may  be  overshadowed  by  that  of  others, 
whose  good  fortune  has  been  to  live  on  and  reap  the  reward 
of  their  labors.  The  veil  of  secrecy  that  so  long  rested  over 
the  proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress  did  no  injury  to 
the  reputation  of  those  members  who  lived  to  sign  the  Declar- 
ation of  Independence;  but  in  the  case  of  the  subject  of  this 


70 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


memoir,  an  untimely  death,  by  precluding  him  from  signing 
that  immortal  document,  prevented  his  arduous  labors  in  the 
cause  of  his  country  from  being  as  widely  appreciated  as  they 
deserved. 

Governor  Samuel  Ward  of  Rhode  Island,  a very  promi- 
nent member  of  the  celebrated  Continental  Congress,  and  a 
patriotic  statesman  of  most  enlightened  views,  was  born  at 
Newport,  R.  L,  May  27,  1725.  He  was  the  second  son  of 
Governor  Richard  Ward,  of  an  ancient  family  settled  in  that 
colony,  and  was  descended  from  the  celebrated  Roger  Wil- 
liams. He  received  a very  thorough  education,  residing  at 
Newport  until  he  was  20  years  of  age,  when  he  married  Anna 
Ray,  and  removed  to  Westerly,  R.-I.  There  he  rapidly  rose 
to  prominence  and  wealth,  his  agricultural  and  mercantile  pur- 
suits proving  very  remunerative.  While  residing  there  he 
became  well  acquainted  with  the  distinguished  philosopher, 
Benjamin  Franklin,  who  established  a long  correspondence 
v/ith  Samuel  Ward’s  sister-in-law,  Cathrine  Ray.  In  1756, 
Mr.  Ward  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  continued  to  represent  Westerly  in  that  body  until 
1759.  He  took  a leading  part  in  the  debates  of  the  Assembly 
and  was  speedily  looked  up  to  with  great  respect,  early  win- 
ning for  himself  the  wide  and  commanding  influence  that  his 
noble  character  and  talents  deserved.  In  1758,  he  was  one  of 
the  two  delegates  representing  Rhode  Island  in  the  Convention 
called  at  Hartford  by  the  Earl  of  Loundoun  to  settle  the  quota 
of  New  England  troops  in  the  French  war,  and  reported  the 
proceedings  of  the  Convention  to  the  Rhode  Island  Legislature. 

In  1761,  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  colony, 
and  in  May,  1762,  while  holding  this  office,  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor. During  his  first  term  he  was  much  interested  in  the 
wise  plan  of  founding  Rhode  Island  College,  now  Brown 
University.  His  name  appears  among  the  first  signers  of  the 
petition  for  a charter,  and  in  1764  he  became  one  of  the  origi- 
nal trustees,  when  the  college  was  incorporated  by  the  Leg- 
islature. His  son.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Samuel  Ward,  was 
graduated  with  high  honors  in  one  of  its  earliest  classes.  In 
1765,  he  was  reelected  Governor,  and,  upon  the  passage  of 
the  infamous  Stamp  Act  by  Parliament,  immediately  took 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


71 


strong  ground  against  its  enforcement.  The  Rhode  Island 
Assembly,  in  September,  adopted  the  five  celebrated  resolu- 
tions drawn  up  by  Patrick  Henry  of  Virginia,  to  which 
another  and  a bolder  one  was  added,  the  whole  breathing  vir- 
tually a tone  of  independence.  The  Governors  of  all  the  colonies 
but  one  took  the  oath  to  sustain  and  enforce  the  odious  Stamp 
Act.  Samuel  Ward,  “the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island,  stood 
alone  in  his  patriotic  refusal,”  says  the  historian  Bancroft. 
In  the  month  of  October,  a Colonial  Congress,  representing 
nine  colonies,  was  held  at  New  York  to  protest  against  this 
oppressive  measure.  Henry  Vv^ard,  a brother  of  Governor 
Ward,  and  noted  as  holding  the  office  of  Secretary  of  Rhode 
Island  for  many  years,  was  one  of  the  two  delegates  from  his 
native  colony.  The  following  year,  Samuel  Ward  was  again 
elected  Governor,  continuing  to  reside  in  Newport  while  in 
office.  His  future  colleague  in  the  Continental  Congress, 
Stephen  Hopkins,  was  generally  the  rival  candidate  opposed 
to  him,  and  party  feeling  in  Rhode  Island  ran  high,  until 
finally  a compromise  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  two  states- 
men became  firm  friends.  After  the  expiration  of  his  third 
term  of  office,  Governor  Ward  returned  to  his  home  at  West- 
erly, R.  L,  where  he  remained  in  retirement,  closely  observing 
the  rapid  march  of  events,  until  he  was  called  to  legislate  for 
the  whole  country.  He  frequently  attended  the  sessions  of 
the  General  Assembly,  although  holding  no  office,  and  exerted 
a wide  influence  in  the  decision  of  questions  of  great  public 
interest. 

In  consequence  of  the  oppressive  acts  of  the  British  min- 
istry, Virginia  and  Rhode  Island  took  the  lead  in  establishing 
standing  committees  of  correspondence  and  inquiry,  in  order 
to  obain  the  earliest  intelligence  of  all  measures  of  the  British 
government  relating  to  America,  and  to  correspond  with 
similar  committees  in  the  other  colonies.  Governor  Ward 
saw  the  advantage  of  extending  this  system  to  all  the  towns 
in  Rhode  Island,  and  accordingly,  on  the  31st  of  December, 
1773,  soon  after  the  patriotic  destruction  of  the  tea  at  Boson, 
addressed  a letter  to  some  prominent  gentlemen  of  Newport, 
urging  the  necessity  of  establishing  such  committees  of  cor- 
respondence in  the  various  towns  of  the  colony,  and  suggest- 


72 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


ing  that  Newport,  their  metropolis,  should  lead  the  way  in 
this  important  matter.  This  remarkable  letter  was  signed 
by  himself  and  several  other  patriots  of  Westerly,  and  is  as 
follows : 

Westerly,  31st  Dec.,  1773. 

Gentlemen — As  Liberty,  under  God,  is  the  parent  of  wisdom,  virtue 
and  happiness,  and  the  only  security  which  mankind  can  have  for  the 
enjoyment  of  those  invaluable  blessings,  we  have  beheld  with  the 
deepest  concern,  the  many  unconstitutional,  violent  and  unjust  attacks 
which  have  been  made  upon  the  liberties  of  America.  Many  of  these 
attempts  have  been  defeated  by  the  brave  resistance  of  the  Americans; 
and  the  colonies  in  general  have  gloriously  asserted  their  just  rights 
and  privileges,  and  placed  the  justice  of  their  cause  in  a light  as  clear 
as  that  of  the  meridian  sun.  But  the  administration,  insensible  of  every 
humane,  generous,  and  equitable  sentim-ent,  still  continues  its  vile  at- 
tempts to  enslave  us.  There  is  therefore  the  greatest  necessity  that  a 
general,  firm  and  inviolable  union  and  intercourse  of  all  the  colonies, 
and  of  the  several  towns  in  each  colony,  should  immediately  take  place, 
that  the  ministry  may  be  effectually  convinced  that  an  opposition  to 
their  measures  hath  been  made,  not  by  a few  interested,  designing 
or  factious  persons,  but  by  the  joint  concurrence  of  people  of  all 
ranks  in  the  several  colonies.  To  put  this  matter  beyond  a doubt, 
and  convince  the  world  that  America  is  firmly  united,  and  resolved 
never  to  give  up  their  liberties  but  with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  we 
think  a point  of  the  greatest  importance.  We  are  sensible  that  the 
appointment  of  committees  of  correspondence  by  the  several  govern- 
ments will  have  a most  happy  tendency  in  this  respect. 

But  we  think  something  further  necessary,  and  can  think  of  noth- 
ing so  effectual  as  the  calling  of  town  meetings  in  every  town  in  the 
several  colonies,  in  order  to  publish  to  the  world  their  sentim-ents 
upon  the  present  alarming  situation  of  affairs,  particularly  their  de- 
testation of  and  determination  to  oppose  to  the  last  extremity  the  base 
attempts  made  by  the  East  India  Company  to  establish  tea  factors 
and  tax-gatherers  amongst  us;  and  to  support  the  firm  resolution  of 
every  town  to  support  each  other,  and  especially  our  most  worthy 
brethren  in  Boston,  who  have  so  nobly  sustained  and  defeated  every 
ministerial  attempt  upon  their  liberties,  and  also  to  manifest  our  un- 
alterable resolution  to  live  freemen,  or  die  gloriously  in  defence  of 
our  liberties. 

With  views  of  this  kind,  we  had  thought  of  calling  a town  meet- 
ing in  Westerly;  but  as  it  would  be  most  for  the  interest  of  the 
common  cause  that  a measure  of  such  importance  should  originate 
in  the  metropolis,  we  chose  to  communicate  our  sentiments  to  our 
brethren  in  Newport;  and  as  you,  gentlemen,  have  generously  under- 
taken to  watch  over  the  interests  of  your  country,  and  point  out  every 
attempt  upon  liberty,  we  thought  we  could  not  address  ourselves  to  any 
gentlemen  in  the  colony  with  so  much  propriety  as  to  you.  If  the 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


73 


measure  suggested  by  us  should  appear  to  you  in  the  same  important 
light  v/hich  it  does  to  us,  you  will  undoubtedly  take  the  proper  mea- 
sures for  carrying  it  into  immediate  execution  in  this,  and  all  the  other 
governments. 

We  shall  expect  your  sentiments  by  Mr.  S , before  we  pro- 

ceed any  further,  and  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  maritime  towns 
will  be  supported  by  all  the  other  towns  in  the  colony.  We  have  only 
to  add  that  the  crisis,  the  important  crisis  which  must  determine 
whether  the  inhabitants  of  this  vast  continent  shall  be  the  greatest  and 
most  happy  people  in  the  universe,  or  a race  of  vile,  m-iserable,  un- 
happy, wretched  slaves,  appears  to  be  now  come.  * * * Let  us  then 
stand  firm,  and  whatsoever  our  hands  find  to  do  in  this  glorious  cause, 
do  it  with  all  our  might.  May  that  God  who  delivered  our  fathers 
from  the  cruel  hands  of  oppression  and  persecution,  and  preserved 
them  amidst  all  the  dangers  and  distress  attending  their  settlement 
in  a wilderness  destitute  of  every  necessary  of  life  and  inhabited  by 
numerous  tribes  of  fierce  savages,  give  us  wisdom  and  virtue  to  de- 
fend those  liberties  they  so  gloriously  purchased  and  transmitted  to 
us,  and  to  establish  our  just  rights  and  privileges  upon  a foundation 
which  shall  last  as  long  as  the  sun  and  moon  endure !” 

Gov.  Ward  wrote  in  a similar  strain  to  prominent  men 
in  other  towns  of  the  colony;  and,  on  the  second  of  February, 
1774,  introduced  a series  of  resolutions  at  a meeting  of  the 
town  of  Westerly,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  of  corre- 
spondence, which  fully  recite  the  grievances  of  which  the 
colonies  complained,  and  urge  resistance  as  the  only  altern- 
ative remaining  to  them  as  freemen.  The  meeting  was  very 
largely  attended,  and  the  resolutions  were  adopted  without  a 
dissenting  voice. 

It  was  well  known  that  the  destruction  of  the  tea  in 
Boston  harbor  only  incited  the  British  ministry  to  more  griev- 
ous measures,  and  the  Boston  Port  bill  and  other  accompany- 
ing acts  warned  the  colonists  that  no  mercy  was  to  be  ex- 
pected. These  celebrated  measures  powerfully  aided  in  pre- 
cipitating the  Revolution. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1774,  at  a tovrn  meeting  in  Provi- 
dence, a general  Congress  of  all  the  colonies  was  first  pro- 
posed, and  on  the  15th  of  June,  during  the  session  of  the 
General  Assembly,  Samuel  Ward  and  Stephen  Hopkins  were 
elected  the  first  delegates  from  any  colony  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  which  subsequently  met  at  Philadelphia.  Two  days 
later.  Governor  Ward  addressed  a letter  (signed  also  by 


74 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


Stephen  Hopkins)  to  the  Hon.  Thomas  Cushing,  Speaker  of 
the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives.  It  reads  as 
follows : 

Newport,  17th  May  (?June),  1774. 

Sir — The  General  Assembly  of  this  colony  having  in  their  present 
session  resolved  that  the  preservation  of  America  requires  a conven- 
tion of  representatives  from  all  the  colonies,  and  appointed  us  to 
represent  this  colony  in  a Congress,  we  take  the  earliest  opportunity 
to  assure  you  that  we  shall  at  all  times  be  ready  most  heartily  to 
concur  with  your  Province,  and  the  other  colonies,  in  all  proper 
measures  for  effectually  restoring  the  peace  of  Am-erica,  and  establish- 
ing the  just  rights  of  the  colonies.  When  we  consider  the  distress 
in  which  your  people  are  already  involved,  and  the  danger  which 
threatens  us  all,  we  are  of  opinion  no  time  ought  to  be  lost,  but  that 
as  soon  as  all  the  colonies  can  have  time  to  concur  in  the  measure, 
the  Congress  ought  to  be  held.  We  would  by  no  means  recommend 
a time  so  short  as  would  preclude  the  more  distant  colonies  from  an 
opportunity  of  sending  commissioners;  for  the  more  general,  the  more 
important  and  permanent  will  be  the  happy  consequences  of  it. 

With  regard  to  the  place  of  meeting,  we  must  observe  that  the 
great  design  upon  which  we  are  to  assemble,  is  m^ore  to  be  attended 
to  than  our  own  personal  convenience,  and  that  place  where  there  will 
be  the  fewest  objects  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  commisioners  from 
the  great  business  of  their  meeting,  must  be  the  fittest  place  for  the 
Congress.  In  a government  under  ministerial  instructions,  some  in- 
terruptions may  be  attempted ; but  in  one  under  the  direction  of  the 
people  nothing  of  that  kind  can  happen.  For  these  reasons,  and  on 
account  of  the  danger  of  taking  the  small-pox  in  some  places  which 
may  be  named,  we  should  like  one  of  the  places  proposed  by  the  com- 
mittee of  correspondence  for  Connecticut,  or  Princeton  in  the  Jerseys; 
but  we  will  make  no  difficulties  on  our  own  account,  but  will  readily 
join  the  other  commissioners  at  any  time  and  place  agreed  upon  by  the 
majority.” 

The  Congress  met  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  5,  1774.  Gov- 
ernor Ward  journeyed  thither  on  horseback.  His  private 
diary  of  this  and  the  succeeding  Congress  is  still  preserved. 
He  writes: 

'‘Arrived  in  Philadelphia  30th  Aug.,  1774,  in  the  evening.  Aug.  31. 
In  the  forenoon  the  delegates  from  South  Carolina,  and  some  gentle- 
men of  the  city,  came  to  see  me ; soon  after,  the  delegates  from 
Boston,  New  Hampshire  and  of  the  city,  (save  those  out  of  town) 
and  the  Farmer,  (Mr.  John  Dickinson,)  in  the  afternoon,  several 
gentlemen  of  the  city;  Mr.  Hopkins  and  lady  and  the  delegates  from 
Connecticut  arrived.  Sept.  5th.  Met  at  the  New  Tavern,  went  to  Car- 
penters’ Hall,  and  liking  the  place  agreed  to  hold  the  Congress  there, 
took  a list  of  the  delegates,  chose  the  Honorable  Peyton  Randolph, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


75 


President,  and  Mr.  Charles  Thompson,  Secretary,  read* the  appoint- 
ments of  the  delegates,  considered  of  the  manner  of  each  Colony’s 
voting  and  rules  for  regulating  the  business,  but  adjourned  until  lO 
o’clock  tomorrow.  6th.  Met  at  lo  o’clock,  each  colony  to  have  one 
vote,  etc.  etc.  Mr.  Duche  desired  to  open  by  prayer  tomorrow  at 
9 o’clock.  Sept.  7th.  Mr.  Duche  read  prayers  and  lessons,  and  con- 
cluded with  one  of  the  most  sublime,  catholic,  well-adapted  prayers 
I ever  heard.  Thanks  for  it,  and  presented  by  Mr.  Cushing  and  Mr. 
Ward.  A com-mittee  of  two  from  each  colony  appointed  to  prepare 
a statement  of  the  rights  of  the  colonists,  the  infringement  of  those 
rights,  and  the  means  of  redress.  * * * Sept.  22d.  The  Congress  met, 
made  and  ordered  public  a request  to  the  merchants  not  to  import, 
and  also  to  direct  a delay  of  orders  already  sent,  until  the  Congress 
came  to  resolutions  on  that  point,”  etc. 

Governor  Ward  entered  upon  his  duties  with  great  zeal 
for  his  country’s  welfare,  and  a sincere  wish  for  independ- 
ence, which  he  maintained  throughout.  He  soon  became  in- 
timately acquainted  with  Washington,  then  a delegate  from 
Virginia,  and  what  is  preserved  of  their  subsequent  corre- 
spondence is  very  interesting.  In  a letter  to  his  son  Samuel, 
dated  at  Philadelphia,  Oct.  22,  1774,  he  sums  up  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  first  Congress  as  follows ; 

“We  have  formed  a bill  of  rights,  a list  of  grievances,  and  for 
redress  of  those  grievances,  agreed  upon  a petition  to  the  King,  a 
non-importation,  non-exportation,  and  non-consumption  agreements,  an 
address  to  the  people  of  England,  another  to  those  of  America,  have 
stigmatized  Bernard  Hutchinson,  and  other  wretches  in  Boston,  and 
advised  resistance  and  reprisals,  in  case  any  attempt  should  be  made  to 
seize  and  transport  any  persons  to  England  for  trial.  Our  proceed- 
ings are  to  be  sent  to  all  the  colonies  and  the  West  Indies  to  invite 
them  to  join  us. 

The  Congress  adjourned  on  the  26th  of  October,  after 
summoning  a new  Congress  for  the  following  May,  and  the 
delegates  returned  home.  Samuel  Ward  and  Stephen  Hop- 
kins reported  the  proceedings  to  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly, 
at  Providence,  on  the  fourth  of  December,  and  received  a 
vote  of  thanks  for  “the  v/ise,  spirited  and  faithful  discharge 
of  the  important  trust  reposed  in  them,”  and  were  unani- 
mously reelected  as  members  of  the  new  Congress. 

That  body  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  tenth  of  May, 
1775,  while  the  patriotic  excitement  occasioned  by  the  battle 
of  Lexington  was  still  ringing  through  the  country.  Rhode 
Island  immediately  proceeded  to  raise  troops  for  the  emer^ 


76 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


gency,  the  commissions  of  the  officers  being  signed  under 
authority  of  the  Legislature  by  Gov.  Ward’s  brother,  Henry 
Ward,  the  Secretary  of  the  colony,  who  was  found  faithful 
in  hour  of  trial ; while  Governor  Wanton  and  the  Deputy 
Governor  protested  against  the  proceedings,  and  were  conse- 
quently soon  after  removed  from  office.  Governor  Ward’s 
son  Samuel,  a youth  of  eighteen,  promptly  raised  a company 
in  King’s  and  Kent  counties,  and  received  a commission  as 
Captain.  Governor  Ward  journeyed  to  Philadelphia  as  be- 
fore on  horseback,  and  took  his  seat  on  the  fifteenth  of  May, 
becoming  immediately  very  prominent,  his  name,  as  before, 
constantly  appearing  in  the  journal  of  Congress.  Nearly 
every  day  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a committee  of  the 
whole,  and  Governor  Ward  on  such  occasions  was  always 
called  to  the  chair,  John  Hancock,  the  President,  first  sum- 
moning him  to  that  position  on  the  26th  of  May.  Much  of 
the  business  was  prepared  during  these  sessions,  and  Gov. 
Ward  was  chairman  during  a very  momentous  portion  of 
the  proceedings,  from  May  26,  1775,  to  March  13,  1776.  He 
was  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  whole  when  it  was  re- 
solved to  elect  a General  for  the  continental  forces,  June  15, 
1775,  and  made  his  report  accordingly,  the  choice  of  Con- 
gress unanimously  falling  on  Col.  George  Washington,  then, 
as  before,  a delegate  from  Virginia.  Gov.  Ward’s  letters  con- 
tinue to  throw  light  on  the  proceedings  of  Congress.  He 
writes  his  younger  brother,  Henry,  Secretary  of  Rhode  Is- 
land, as  follows : 

Philadelphia,  22d  June,  1775. 

Yesterday  the  famous  Mr.  Jefferson,  a delegate  from  Virginia, 
in  the  room  of  Mr.  Randolph,  arrived.  I have  not  been  in  company 
with  him  yet.  He  looks  like  a very  sensible,  spirited,  fine  fellow,  and, 
by  the  pamphlet  which  he  wrote  last  summer,  he  certainly  is  one. 

The  celebrated  John  Adams  repeatedly  mentions  Gov. 
Ward  in  his  diary,  and  entertained  a very  high  opinion  of 
him.  Gov.  Ward’s  son  Samuel  was  a Captain  at  that  time  in 
Col.  Varnum’s  regiirient,  the  Twelfth  Rhode  Island,  forming 
originally  a part  of  the  ‘‘Rhode  Island  Army  of  Observation,” 
under  General  Nath.  Greene,  from  IMay,  1775 ; Gov.  Ward’s 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


77 


influence  having  brought  about  Gen.  Greene’s  appointment. 
The  Rhode  Island  troops  were  encamped  at  Cambridge, 
Mass.,  where  General  Washington  assumed  command  of  the 
forces  beseiging  Boston  on  the  3d  of  July,  1775  1 
said  that  “only  in  the  Rhode  Island  Regiments  under  General 
Greene,  did  Washington  discover  aught  of  military  order, 
system,  disclipline  and  subordination.”  After  the  battle  of 
Bunker’s  Hill,  in  which  the  Rhode  Island  troops  were  not 
engaged.  Captain  Ward  was  stationed  at  Prospect  Hill,  near 
Charlestown,  where  the  troops  underwent  a very  heavy  bom- 
bardment from  the  British,  followed  by  constant  skirmishing. 
Gov.  Ward’s  letters  to  his  son  at  that  period,  as  throughout, 
breathe  a most  lofty  spirit  of  patriotism. 

The  Congress  adjourned  August  ist,  until  September 
5th,  1775,  and  Governor  Ward  returned  to  his  home  at  West- 
erly, R.  I.  On  the  15th  of  August  he  wrote  his  son.  Captain 
Ward,  then  stationed  at  Cambridge,  as  follows : “It  gives  me 
inexpressible  pleasure  to  find  General  Washington  so  uni- 
versally acceptable  to  all  the  troops.  I was  sure,  from  the 
intimate  acquaintance  I had  with  him,  his  appointment  would 
certainly  be  attended  with  the  most  happy  consequences.”  In 
another  letter  to  his  son,  written  a few  days  previously,  he 
says:  “Never  having  heard  that  you  had  been  introduced  to 
General  Washington,  I have  enclosed  you  a letter  to  him. 
I left  it  open  that  you  may  read  it,  then  seal  and  deliver  it 
immediately.”  General  Washington  shortly  after  wrote  to 
Governor  Ward,  and  says  in  his  letter,  dated  at  Cambridge, 
August,  1775  : “I  did  not  know  till  yesterday  that  you  had  a 
son  in  the  army;  today  I had  the  pleasure  of  his  company  at 
dinner,  together  with  General  Greene.  Colonels  Varnum  and 
Hitchcock  had  already  done  me  that  favor.  I think,  if  oc- 
casion should  offer,  I shall  be  able  to  give  you  a good  ac- 
count of  3^our  son,  as  he  seems  a sensible,  well-informed 
young  man.”  In  September,  1775,  Captain  Ward,  with  his 
company,  joined  Arnold’s  celebrated  expedition  to  Quebec, 
and  underwent  the  terrible  hardships  of  the  campaingn  with 
great  fortitude.  Governor  Ward’s  interest  in  the  sruggle 
continued  unabated.  Shortly  before  this  he  writes  to  a cor- 
respondent: “You  wish  for  peace,  so  do  I;  but  never  upon 


78 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


any  other  terms  but  those  which  will  secure  the  liberties  of 
my  country.” 

The  Continental  Congress  had  adjourned  to  the  5th  of 
September,  but  a quorum  was  not  obtained  until  the  13th, 
instant.  Governor  Ward  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  Sept.  loth, 
and  immediately  resumed  his  punctual  attention  to  public 
business.  He  showed  his  appreciation  of  General  Washing- 
ton’s kindness  to  his  son  in  the  following  letter : 

“Philadelphia,  17th  Sept.,  1775. 

Dear  Sir : — Having  nothing  of  immediate  consequence  to  com- 
municate, and  determining  to  set  out  for  this  city  in  a few  days  after 
the  receipt  of  your  favor,  I deferred  acknowledging  it  until  my  arrival 
here. 

I am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the  very  kind  notice  which  you 
were  pleased  to  take  of  my  son,  and  the  favorable  light  in  which 
you  view  him.  The  advantages  of  travelling  he  wants ; but  those  of 
a liberal  education  he  enjoys.  He  has  seen  some  of  the  best  company 
in  our  colony;  and,  from  his  moral  and  political  principles,  I flatter 
myself  his  conduct  will  make  him  not  unworthy  of  your  future  regard, 
every  instance  of  which  I shall  most  gratefully  acknowledge. 

With  pleasure  I observe  that  you  have  lately  received  some  powder, 
and  expect  some  lead  and  arms,  from  our  colony.  I hope  the  measures 
taken  by  Congress,  and  by  the  colonies,  will  furnish  you  with  such 
quantities  as  will  allow  the  freest  scope  to  your  military  plans  and 
operations. 

That  part  of  your  letter  relative  to  removing  the  stock  from  the 
islands  and  sea  coasts,  I laid  before  our  General  Assembly.  I showed 
the  necessity  of  immediately  doing  it,  in  the  most  forcible  terms ; 
and  such  measures  were  immediately  adopted,  as  have,  I imagine, 
secured  all  our  cattle  from  the  enemy,  by  this  time. 

The  innumerable  difflculties  which  you  must  have  encountered  in 
the  command  of  an  army  under  different  establishments,  in  want  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  regular  supplies  of  provisions,  a military  chest, 
experienced  officers,  a due  organization,  and  a hundred  other  things, 
I have  some,  though  not  an  adequate  conception  of ; but,  from  the  ac- 
counts which  I have  the  pleasure  to  receive  from  my  friends  in  Con- 
gress, I doubt  not  but  your  wise  and  steady  attention  to  the  service 
will  surmount  all  obstacles,  and  that  by  the  opening  of  the  next  cam- 
paign, you  will  have  the  finest  army  under  your  command  which  ever 
was  formed  in  Am'erica. 

I am  too  sensible  of  the  multiplicity  of  business  in  which  you 
are  engaged,  to  flatter  myself  with  a regular  correspondence;  but 
whenever  you  shall  communicate  anything  necessary  for  the  public 
good  to  me,  you  may  rely  upon  my  best  and  constant  endeavors,  both 
in  our  own  colony  and  in  Congress,  to  promote  the  service. 

I most  cheerfully  entered  into  a solemn  engagement,  upon  your 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


79 


appointment,  to  support  you  with  my  life  and  fortune,  and  shall  most 
religiously,  and  with  the  highest  pleasure,  endeavor  to  discharge  that 
duty.  The  Congress  began  to  do  business  last  Wednesday,  but  many 
members  are  still  absent.  Colonel  Lee,  Colonel  Harrison  and  Mr. 
Jefferson,  and  the  North  Carolina  delegates  and  some  others,  have 
not  arrived.  Mr.  Randolph  has  been  confined  with  a - fever  two  or 
three  days ; Messrs.  Wythe  and  Lee  are  under  inoculation ; so  that 
Colonel  Nelson  alone  attends  from  your  colony. 

We  entered  into  the  consideration  of  your  letter  yesterday.  For 
want  of  thorough  knowledge  of  military  affairs,  it  was  not  so  well 
understood  how  an  officer’s  having  several  appointments  could  make 
any  difference  _in  rank.  For  instance,  how  a General  Officer’s  having 
a regiment  or  company,  or  a field  officer’s  having  a company,  could 
alter  his  rank.  It  seemed  to  be  the  general  opinion  that  all  officers 
should  receive  pay  only  for  one  commission,  and  that  their  highest ; 
and  that  when  the  army  was  reformed,  no  person  should  sustain 
more  than  one  office.  But  some  seemed  to  apprehend  that  if  a general 
officer  appointed  by  his  colony  as  colonel  of  a particular  regiment, 
or  a field  officer  as  captain  of  a company,  were  refused  by  the  Con- 
gress commissions  as  such,  that  the  colonies  would  appoint  other  col- 
onels and  captains  in  their  places.  That  this  increase  of  officers  would 
augment  the  difficulties  attending  the  reduction  of  the  troops,  if  such 
a measure  should  be  adopted.  Upon  the  whole,  the  m-atter  was  referred, 
and  as  soon  as  your  several  letters  are  considered,  you  will  be  ac- 
quainted with  the  sentiments  of  the  Congress. 

We  have  no  news  here  from  England  later  than  the  i8th  of  July. 
By  the  King’s  answer  to  the  petition  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen 
and  Commons  of  the  city  of  London,  it  appears  he  is  determined  to 
pursue  and  enforce  his  measures.  God  be  thanked,  that  however 
severe  the  contest  may  prove,  we  are  now  in  such  a happy  way  that  the 
end  must  be  the  establishment  of  American  liberty. 


To  General  Washington. 


Samuel  Ward. 


In  addition  to  daily  presiding  in  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
Governor  Ward  v/as  appointed  a member  of  the  secret  com- 
mittee to  contract  for  arms  and  munitions  of  war,  and  was 
subsequently  chosen  chairman  of  this  committee.  “He  was 
also  a member  of  the  standing  committee  on  claims  and  ac- 
counts,” a position  compelling  him  to  be  familiar  with  all  the 
operations  of  the  army,  and  with  the  services  rendered  by 
each  of  the  respective  colonies.  He  also  served  upon  a large 
number  of  special  committees,  “some  of  which  were  entrusted 
with  the  most  delicate  and  responsible  duties.”  On  account 


8o 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


of  the  physical  disability  of  his  colleague,  Governor  Hopkins, 
the  official  correspondence  of  the  Rhode  Island  delegation 
with  the  government  and  citizens  of  the  colony  was  wholly 
thrown  upon  Governor  Ward.  In  the  month  of  October  he 
writes  to  his  family : 

“I  am  almost  worn  out  with  attention  to  business.  I am  upon  a 
standing  committee  of  claims,  which  meets  every  morning  before  Con- 
gress, and  upon  the  secret  comvmittee  which  meets  almost  every  after- 
noon; and  these,  with  close  attendance  upon  Congress,  and  writing 
many  letters,  make  my  duty  very  hard,  and  I cannot  get  time  to 
ride  or  take  other  exercise.  But  I hope  the  business  will  not  be  so 
pressing  very  long.” 

On  the  30th  of  September,  he  writes  to  his  brother 
Henry,  as  follows : 

“No  news  from  England  since  my  last.  The  gentlemen  from 
Georgia  deserve  the  character  I gave  you  of  them;  they  are  some  of 
the  highest  sons  of  liberty  I have  seen,  and  are  very  sensible  and 
clever.  Mr.  Wythe  and  Mr,  Lee,  of  Virginia,  have  been  under  in- 
oculation since  my  last,  so  that  I can  say  no  more  of  these  than  I did 
then.  Saving  that  unhappy  jealousy  of  New  England,  which  some 
weak  minds  are  possessed  with,  great  unanimity  prevails  in  Congress; 
our  measures  are  spirited,  and  I believe  we  are  now  ready  to  go  every 
length  to  secure  our  liberties.  John  Adams’s  letter  has  silenced  those 
who  opposed  every  decisive  measure,  but  the  moderate  friends,  or,  as 
I consider  them,  the  enemies  of  our  cause,  have  caused  copies  of  it 
to  be  sent  throughout  the  province,  in  hopes  by  raising  the  cry  of  in- 
dependence, to  throw  the  friends  of  liberty  out  of  the  new  Assembly, 
the  choice  of  which  commences  next  Monday;  but  I believe  they  will 
fail,  and  that  the  House  will  be  more  decided  than  ever.  One  com- 
fort we  have,  that  divine  wisdom  and  goodness  often  bring  good  out 
of  ill.  That  the  issue  of  this  same  contest  will  be  the  establishment 
of  our  liberties,  I as  firmly  believe  as  I do  my  existence;  for  I never 
can  think  that  God  brought  us  into  this  wilderness  to  perish,  or, 
what  is  worse,  to  become  slaves,  but  to  make  us  a great  and  free 
people.” 

The  Rhode  Island  Assembly  was  the  first  to  advocate 
the  building  of  an  American  navy,  and  instructed  their  two 
delegates  accordingly.  On  the  3d  of  October,  1775,  Governor 
Ward  wrote  in  his  diary  with  reference  to  his  duties  in  Con- 
gress, as  follows : ‘‘Presented  our  instructions  for  carrying 
on  the  war  effectually,  and  building-  an  American  fleet.” 
These  instructions  were  for  the  present  laid  upon  the  table, 
and  were  not  finally  acted  upon  till  the  nth  of  December, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


8l 


when  Congress,  according  its  the  journal,  “took  into  con- 
sideration the  instructions  given  to  the  delegates  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  after  debate  thereon. 

Resolved,  that  a committee  be  appointed  to  devise  ways  and  means 
for  furnishing  these  colonies  with  naval  armament,  and  report  with 
all  convenient  speed.” 

Two  days  following,  the  committee  reported  in  favor  of 
building  thirteeen  ships.  After  a full  debate  the  report  was 
adopted  by  Congress,  and  the  ships  were  ordered  to  be  built 
at  the  expense  of  the  United  Colonies.  The  following  day 
Governor  Ward  wrote  to  his  brother: 

“I  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  you  that,  upon  considering  our 
instructions  for  a navy,  the  Congress  has  agreed  to  build  thirteen 
ships  of  war..  A committee  is  to  be  this  day  appointed,  with  full 
power  to  carry  the  resolve  into  execution.  Powder  and  duck  are  or- 
dered to  be  im-ported.  All  other  articles,  it  is  supposed,  may  be  got 
in  the  colonies.  Two  of  these  vessels  are  to  built  in  our  colony,  one 
in  New  Hampshire,  etc.  The  particulars  I would  not  have  mentioned. 
The  ships  are  to  be  built  with  all  possible  despatch.” 

While  this  important  project  was  under  discussion,  the 
ill-judged  conduct  of  the  British  ministry  was  strengthening 
the  hands  of  patriots  like  Governor  Ward.  . On  the  2d  of 
November  he  writes  to  his  brother: 

‘The  evening  before  last,  two  ships  arrived  from  England.  The 
advices  which  they  bring  (amongst  which  is  a proclamation  for  sup- 
pressing rebellion  and  sedition)  are  of  immense  service  to  us.  Our 
councils  have  been  hitherto  too  fluctuating;  one  day  measures  for 
carrying  on  the  war  were  adopted ; the  next,  nothing  must  be  done 
that  would  widen  the  unhappy  breach  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
colonies.  As  these  different  ideas  have  prevailed,  our  conduct  has 
been  directed  accordingly.  Had  we,  at  the  opening  of  the  Congress  in 
May,  immediately  taken  proper  measures  for  carrying  on  the  war 
with  vigor,  we  might  have  been  in  possession  of  all  Canada,  undoubt- 
edly, and  probably  of  Boston.  Thank  God,  the  happy  day  which  I have 
long  wished  for  is  at  len^h  arrived.  The  Southern  colonies  no  longer 
entertain  jealousy  of  the  Northern;  they  no  longer  look  back  to  Great 
Britain;  they  are  convinced  that  they  have  been  pursuing  a phantom, 
and  that  their  only  safety  is  a vigorous,  determined  defence.  One  of 
the  gentlemen,  who  has  been  most  sanguine  for  pacific  measures, 
and  very  jealous  of  the  New  England  colonies,  addressing  me  in  the 
style  of  Brother  Rebel,  told  me  he  was  now  ready  to  join  us  heartily. 
We  have  got,’  says  he,  ‘a  sufficient  answer  to  our  petition;  I want 
nothing  mvore,  but  am  ready  to  declare  ourselves  independent,  send 
ambassadors,  etc.,  and  much  more  which  prudence  forbids  me  to 


82 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


commit  to  paper.  Our  resolutions  will  henceforth  be  spirited,  clear 
and  decisive.  May  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  universe  direct  and 
prosper  them!  The  pleasure  which  this  unanimity  gives  me  is  inex- 
pressible. I consider  it  a sure  presage  of  victory.  My  anxiety  is  now 
at  an  end.  I am  no  longer  worried  with  contradictory  resolutions, 
but  feel  a calm,  cheerful  satisfaction  in  having  one  great  and  just 
object  in  view,  and  the  means  of  obtaining  it  certainly,  by  the  divine 
blessing,  in  our  own  hands.” 

The  condition  of  the  army  in  Massachusetts  at  this  time 
engaged  Governor  Ward’s  attention  very  much,  as  the  diffi- 
culties attending  the  establishment  of  the  continental  system 
among  troops  enlisted  under  the  authority  of  ^ the  several  colo- 
nies were  very  great.  Congress  v/as  much  perplexed  by  these 
difficulties,  which  are  constamtly  alluded  to  in  General  Wash- 
ington’s letters  to  that  body.  Governor  V/ard  held  a corre- 
spondence with  General  Greene  on  this  subject,  which  threw 
additional  light  on  these  embarrassmientsi,  General  Greene 
giving  him  the  most  accurate  information  on  all  the  points 
in  question.  The  colony  of  Rhode  Island  at  this  period  was 
suffering  the  consequences  of  its  patriotic  attachment  to  the 
cause  of  independence,  as  the  British  ships,  under  command 
of  Captain  Wallace,  taking  advantage  of  the  exposed  con- 
dition of  its  shores,  sent  parties  of  marauders,  who  devasted 
the  country  threatened  by  the  fleet.  Governor  Ward  writes 
to  his  brother  at  this  time: 

‘T  have  traced  the  progress  of  this  unnatural  war  through  burning 
towns,  devastation  of  the  country  and  every  subsequent  evil.  I have 
realized  with  regard  to  myself  the  bullet,  the  bayonet  and  the  halter; 
and,  compared  with  the  immense  object  I have  in  view,  they  are 
all  less  than  nothing.  No  man  living,  perhaps,  is  more  fond  of  his 
children  than  I am,  and  I am^  not  so  old  as  to  be  tired  of  life ; and  yet, 
as  far  as  I can  now  judge,  the  tenderest  connections  and  the  most 
important  private  concerns  are  very  minute  objects.  Heaven  save  my 
country  1 I was  going  to  say,  is  my  first,  my  last,  and  almost  my  only 
prayer.” 

During  the  autumn  the  subject  of  fortifying  the  High- 
lands of  the  Hudson  river  also  occupied  the  attention  of  Con- 
gress, and  Gov.  V/ard  mentions  in  his  diary,  “that  a com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of  the  fortifi- 
cations ordered  to  be  erected  on  the  Hudson  River,”  and  that 
“Gen.  Wooster  was  ordered,  unless  counter-ordered  by  Gen. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


83 


Schuyler,  to  come  down  to  the  Highlands,  leave  as  many 
troops  as  the  managers  of  the  works  think  necessary,  and 
repair  with  the  remainder  to  New  York.”  On  the  12th  of 
December,  1775,  he  writes  to  his  brother: 

“The  contest  between  the  two  countries  involves  a question  of  no 
less  magnitude  than  the  happiness  or  misery  of  millions,  and  when  we 
extend  our  views  to  future  ages,  we  may  say  millions  of  millions. 

Our  views,  therefore,  ought  to  be  extensive,  our  plans  great,  and  our 

exertions  adequate  to  the  immense  object  before  us,  and  such,  I doubt 
not,  will  be  the  conduct  of  the  Congress.” 

During  this  time  Gov.  Ward’s  favorite  son,  Capt.  Samuel 
Ward,  was  participating  in  all  the  hardships  and  horrors  of 
Arnold’s  celebrated  march  to  Quebec  through  the  wilderness 
of  Maine.  The  sufferings  which  these  brave  soldiers  under- 
went were  almost  unparalleled,  while,  as  is  well  known,  after 
displaying  the  most  desperate  courage  in  the  attack  on  Que- 
bec, Dec.  31st,  1775,  and  penetrating  far  into  the  city,  the 

very  bravest  of  them  were  outnumbered  and  made  prisoners, 
Capt.  Samuel  Ward  being  amiong  the  number.  The  news 
of  this  disaster  reached  Congress  on  the  \yth  of  January, 
1776,  by  dispatches  from  General  Schuyler,  and  Gov.  Ward 
was  appointed  on  the  committee  to  whom  these  dispatches 
were  referred.  On  the  21st  he  wrote  to  his  son  as  follov/s: 
‘T  most  devoutly  thank  God  that  you  are  alive,  in  good 
health,  and  have  behaved  well.  You  have  now  a new  scene 
of  action,  to  behave  well  as  a prisoner.  You  have  been 
taught  from  your  infancy  the  love  of  God,  of  all  mankind, 
and  especially  of  your  country ; in  a due  discharge  of  these 
various  duties  of  life  consist  true  honor,  religion  and  virtue. 
* * * All  ranks  of  people  here  have  the  highest  sense  of  the 
great  bravery  and  merit  of  Colonel  Arnold,  and  all  his  offi- 
cers and  men.  Though  prisoners,  they  have  acquired  im- 
mortal honor.”  the  loth  of  February  he  writes 

to  another  son  (John),  in  Rhode  Island:  ‘T  am  pleased  with 
the  account  which  you  give  me  of  the  military  operations  in 
the  colony.  I expect  we  shall  suffer  much,  I hope  we  shall 
bear  it  as  becomes  freemen,  and  have  no  doubt  but  Heaven 
will  crown  our  generous  efforts  with  success.”  A few  days 
before  he  wrote  to  his  brother  Henry:  “Dr.  Franklin,  upon 


84 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


my  mentioning  to  him  a letter  from  the  Governor  relative  to 
making  powder,  gave  me  a receipt  from  some  author,  which 
I enclose.”  About  the  same  time  he  writes  to  his  sister: 
“When  I consider  the  alarms,  the  horrors  and  mischiefs  of 
war,  I cannot  help  thinking  what  those  wretches  deserve,  who 
have  involved  this  innocent  country  in  all  its  miseries.  At 
the  same  time  I adore  the  divine  wisdom  and  goodness,  which 
often  overrules  and  directs  those  calamities  to  the  producing 
of  the  greatest  good.  This  I humbly  hope  will  be  our  case. 
We  may  yet  establish  the  peace  and  happiness  of  our  native 
country  upon  the  broad  and  never-failing  basis  of  liberty  and 
virtue. 

When  I reflect  upon  this  subject,  and  anticipate  the 
glorious  period,  the  dangers  of  disease,  the  inconveniences 
experienced  in  my  private  affairs,  the  almost  unparalleled 
sufferings  of  Samuel,  (his  son.  Captain  Ward),  and  all  that 
my  dear  children  and  friends  do  or  can  suffer,  appear  to  me 
trifling.” 

On  the  4th  of  March,  he  writes  to  his  brother : 

“The  abandoning  of  our  islands  must  be  a very  heavy  loss.  * * * 
The  Congress  is  taking  measures  for  the  defence  of  all  parts  of  the 
continent.  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  the  lower  counties, 
(Delaware,)  and  Maryland  are  made  a Middle  Departoent,  under 
General  Schuyler;  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  the  Southern  Department  under  General  Lee,  who  will  soon 
be  detached  there.  Six  brigadiers  are  appointed  for  these  Colonies. 
* * * There  are  above  thirty  battalions  raising  or  raised  in  these 
departments,  and  more  can  be  raised,  so  that  I hope  the  enemy  may 
meet  a proper  reception  in  any  quarter.  A committee  is  appointed  by 
Congress  to  contract  for  the  making  of  arms ; this  is  a matter  of  im- 
mense importance.  * * * This  moment  a vessel  is  arrived  from  Europe 
with  twenty-five  tons  of  powder.  * * General  Lee  is  fortifying  New 
York.  The  Captain  of  the  enemy’s  ships  gave  out  they  would  fire 
on  the  town.  General  Lee  in  return  gave  out  that  if  they  did,  he  would 
chain  a hundred  of  their  best  friends  together,  and  the  first  house 
they  set  on  fire  should  be  their  funeral  pile.” 

The  last  letter  in  the  handwriting  of  Governor  Ward 
is  dated  at  Philadelphia,  March  ii,  1776.  He  writes  to  his 
son.  Captain  Samuel  Ward,  in  the  lofty  strain  of  religious 
patriotism  he  has  made  familiar  to  us,  and  in  closing  says: 
“Dr.  Franklin  does  me  the  favor  to  take  charge  of  this  letter.” 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


85 


Governor  Ward  continued  his  unremitting  attention  to 
his  duties,  constantly  presiding  over  Congress  in  committee 
of  the  whole,  etc.,  until  the  15th  of  March,  when  he  was 
obliged  to  leave  the  session,  owing  to  a violent  attack  of  ill- 
ness, which,  the  following  morning,  proved  to  be  small-pox. 
He  died  of  this  fatal  disease  on  the  26th  of  'March.  Dr. 
Young,  who  attended  him,  wrote  the  same  day  to  Governor 
Ward’s  brother  as  follows:  “It  is  with  most  heartfelt  grief, 
with  the  deepest  affliction  and  pungent  regret,  that  I inform 
you,  the  patriotic  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.,  left  his  anxious,  his 
numerous  friends  in  this  city  to  bewail  their  loss  of  one  of 
the  most  able,  consistent  and  determined  defenders  of  Amer- 
ican liberty  in  his  person,  who  departed  life  at  2 A.  M.,  this 
morning,  of  that  tremendous  disease,  the  small-pox,  taken  in 
the  natural  way.”  The  following  day.  Governor  Ward’s  col- 
league, the  Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins,  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of 
Rhode  Island,  on  the  same  subject.  He  says: 

“I  am  very  sorry  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  writing  so  dis- 
agreeable news  as  the  death  of  your  brother,  the  Honorable  Samuel 
Ward,  Esq.,  must  be.  He  first  found  himself  a little  out  of  order 
on  Wednesday,  the  13th  of  March,  and  on  that  and  the  two  following 
days,  he  attended  Congress,  but  on  the  last  of  them  he  was  so  poorly 
as  to  be  obliged  to  leave  it  before  it  rose,  and  on  Saturday,  the  i6th, 
in  the  morning,  the  small-pox  appeared  plainly.  * * * He  continued 
with  the  bad  symptoms  rather  increasing,  until  yesterday  morning 
about  2 o’clock,  when  he  expired  without  a groan  or  a struggle.  He 
appeared  to  have  retained  his  senses  quite  thro’  his  whole  disorder, 
even  to  the  last. 

His  funeral  is  to  be  attended  this  day  at  3 o’clock,  by  the  Con- 
gress as  mourners,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, by  the  M^ayor  and  Corporation  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
the  Committee  of  Safety  of  the  province,  and  the  Committee  of  In- 
spection of  the  city  of  liberties ; the  clergy  of  all  denominations  pre- 
ceding the  corpse,  six  very  respectable  gentlemen  of  this  city  being 
pall  bearers.  He  will  be  carried  into  the  great  Presbyterian  Meeting- 
house, in  Arch  street,  where  a funeral  discourse  will  be  delivered  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Stillman.  The  corpse  will  from  thence  be  carried  to  the 
Baptist  burying-ground  in  this  city  and  there  interred. 

Your  very  affectionate  friend. 

Step,  Hopkins. 

Dr.  Young  also  says  in  his  letter:  “So  full,  so  firm,  so 
capable,  so  industrious  was  Mr.  Ward,  that  his  loss  will  be 


86 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


severely  felt  in  the  Congress.  One,  at  least,  of  the  mighty 
advocates  for  American  independency  is  fallen  in  Mr.  Ward, 
to  the  great  grief  of  the  pro-to-patriot  Adams.”  John  Adams 
mentions  Gov.  Ward’s  death  in  a letter  as  follows:  “We 
have  this  week  lost  a very  valuable  friend  of  the  Colonies 
in  Governor  Ward  of  Rhode  Island,  by  the  small-pox  in  the 
natural  way.  * * * He  was  an  amiable  and  a sensible 

man,  a steadfast  friend  to  his  country,  upon  very  pure  prin- 
ciples. His  funeral  was  attended  with  the  same  solemnities 
as  Mr.  Randolph’s.  Mr.  Stillman  being  the  Anabaptist  min- 
ister here,  of  which  persuasion  was  the  Governor,  was  de- 
sired by  Congress  to  preach  a sermon,  which  he  did,  with 
great  applause.”  Many  years  after,  in  1821,  John  Adams 
thus  speaks  of  his  character  in  a letter  to  one  of  his  descend- 
ants : “He  was  a gentleman  in  his  manners,  benevolent  and 
amiable  in  his  disposition,  and  as  decided,  ardent  and  uni- 
form in  his  patriotism  as  any  meiriber  of  that  Congress.  When 
he  was  seized  with  the  small-pox,  he  said  that  if  his  vote  and 
voice  was  necessary  to  support  the  cause  of  his  country,  he 
should  live,  if  not,  he  should  die.  He  died,  and  the  cause  of 
his  country  was  supported,  but  it  lost  one  of  its  most  sincere 
and  punctual  advocates.” 

Governor  Ward’s  remains  were  interred  in  the  First  Bap- 
tist church,  and  a monument  was  erected  over  the  spot  by 
an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island,  passed  the 
following  May,  which  pays  this  tribute  to  his  memory: 

Whereas,  The  Honorable  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.,  late  a delegate  for 
this  Colony  in  the  Continental  Congress,  hath  lately  deceased  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia;  in  testimony  of  the  respect  due  to  his  memory, 
and  in  grateful  remembrance  of  his  public  services. 

Resolved,  That  his  executors  or  administrators  are  desired,  as 
soon  as  may  be,  to  exhibit  to  this  Assembly  an  account  of  his  funeral 
expenses  for  payment.  And  it  is  further  resolved,  that  the  delegates 
for  this  Colony,  for  the  time  being,  be  instructed  to  erect  a decent 
tombstone  or  monument  of  marble,  with  such  inscription  as  they  shall 
think  suitable,  over  the  place  where  the  body  hath  been  deposited, 
at  the  expense  of  this  Colony.” 

The  monument  was  duly  erected,  and  the  inscription  v/as 
written  by  the  celebrated  John  Jay.  Gov.  Ward’s  remains 
reposed  in  Philadelphia  until  i860,  when  they  were  removed 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


87 


to  the  family  plot  in  the  cemetery  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island, 
where  the  mounment  ordered  by  his  native  Colony  still  covers 
the  ashes  of  one  of  the  truest  and  most  patriotic  statesmen 
of  the  Revolution. 

A striking  feature  of  Gov.  Ward’s  character  was  his  re- 
markable grasp  of  mind  and  statesmanlike  breadth  of  view. 
His  letters  show  an  appreciation  of  the  critical  situation  of 
the  Colonies,  before  it  had  fairly  dawned  upon  the  minds  of 
any  but  a very  few  statesmen  like  himself.  As  the  crisis  ap- 
proached, he  rose  to  the  situation,  and  evinced  an  unalterable 
desire  for  independence,  which  was  intensified  as  the  strug- 
gle proceeded.  The  noble  career  of  his  son.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  (then  Captain)  Samuel  Ward,  in  the  Revolutionary 
army,  equalled  his  expectations  and  fanned  his  love  of  coun- 
try to  a still  holier  flame.  The  letters  he  addressed  to  his 
favorite  son  and  other  relatives  breathe  a religious  spirit  and 
devout  trust  in  Providence,  accompanying  and  enhancing  his 
intense  patriotism.  Gov.  Ward’s  religious  character  was  re- 
m.arkably  developed,  and  a lofty  spirituality  pervades  his 
writings,  apparently  stimulating  his  courage  and  earnest- 
ness in  the  great  national  work  in  which  he  was  engaged.  So 
thoroughly  unselfish  was  he,  and  so  regardful  of  his  duty  to  his 
country,  that  while  aware  of  the  danger  he  was  running  of 
taking  the  fatal  disease  of  which  he  died,  he  felt  that  he  could 
not  spare  time  from  his  patriotic  labors  to  be  inoculated,  and  - 
thus  fell  a victim  to  a conscientious  discharge  of  his  public 
duties.  The  country  could  ill  afford  to  lose  so  noble  an  ex- 
ample of  the  best  virtues  of  that  greatest  period  in  our  na- 
tional history,  the  American  Revolution. 


GENEALOGY 


of  the 


WARD  FAMILY 


1 •'  ' 


I 


LIE-UZCOL  FIRST  .RHODE  I5IAND  REGIMENT/ 

army  OFTHCAMfRiCAN-RriVOLUTlON 
Psm  !i-v^J7«  175& 


(Sec.  6,  Page  94) 


THE  WARD  FAMILY. 


By  John  Ward. 


The  name  of  Ward,  or  Warde,  is  of  Norman  origin,  and 
found  on  the  ancient  roll  of  Battle  Abbey,  England,  as  given 
by  Duchesne,  Holinshed,  and  Leland.  Arms,  as  borne  by  the 
Family  in  America,  and  originally  brought  over  from  Eng- 
land: ajsure,  a cross  pat  once  or.  Crest:  A wolfs  head  erased, 
proper,  langued  and  dentated  gules.  Motto:  Sub  cruce  salus.'^ 

1.  John  Ward,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  one  of  Crom- 
well’s cavalry  regiments,  came  to  America,  from  Gloucester, 
England,  after  the  accession  of  King  Charles  II.  He  settled 
at  Newport,  R.  L,  and  is  mentioned  in  the  records  in  1673. 
He  died  at  Newport,  in  April,  1698,  aged  79.  His  sword 
was  preserved  in  the  family  for  nearly  a century. — Issue: 

2.  Thomas  Ward,  who  preceded  his  father  to  America, 

was  born  in  1641,  married,  first,  Mary  ? by  whom  he 

had  daughters,  i,  Mary,  who  married  Sion  Arnold,  son  of 
Gov.  Benedict  Arnold,  of  Newport,  R.  I.;  2,  Margaret,  who 

I.  The  arms  and  crest  are  still  to  be  seen  engraved  on  the  monument  of 
Gov.  Richard  Ward,  in  Newport,  R.  I. 


92 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


married  Capt.  Robert  Writington.  His  second  wife  was  Amy 
Smith  (a  grand-daughter  of  Roger  Williams).  He  settled 
at  Newport  soon  after  1670,  and  is  first  mentioned  in  Rhode 
Island  history  in  May,  1671,  and  subsequently  in  1677,  when 
he  was  elected  general  treasurer  of  the  Colony.  He  was 
elected  to  the  upper  house  of  the  General  Assembly  as  As- 
sistant, equivalent  to  a modern  senator,  in  1679,  and  was  re- 
peatedly chosen  a Deputy  from  Newport  until  his  death, 
September  25,  1689,  aged  48.  Backus  {History  Baptists,  I, 
516)  says  that  he  was  a Baptist,  and  a very  useful  man  in 
the  Colony  of  Rhode  Island.  His  widow  (Amy)  afterwards 
married  Arnold  Collins,  and  their  son  Henry  Collins^  (called 
by  the  late  Dr.  Benjamin  Waterhouse,  “the  Lorenzo  de’ 
Medici  of  Rhode  Island”),  born  March  25,  1699,  died  at  New- 
port, R.  I.,  about  1770. — Issue: 

3.  i.  Thomas  Ward,  died  December  22,  1695,  in  his 
13th  year. 

4-  ii.  (Gov.)  Richard  Ward,  born  April  15,  1689,  at 
Newport,  R.  L,  married  Mary  (daughter  of  John) 
Tillinghast,  Nov.  2,  1709;  was  many  years  Secretary, 
and  afterwards  Governor  of  the  Colony  from  1740  to 
1743,  and  died  August  21,  1763.  His  able  report  to 
the  English  Board  of  Trade,  on  paper  money,  is 
printed  in  J.  R.  Bartlett’s  R.  I.  Colonial  Records, 
Vol.  5,  page  8.  His  wife  died  October  19,  1767,  in 
her  78th  year. — Children: 

i.  Amy,  born  September  4,  and  died  Oct.  22,  1710. 

ii.  Thomas,  born  October  24,  1711,  married  Content 

(daughter  of  Elisha)  Coggeshall,  of  Newport; 
was  for  many  years  Secretary  of  State,  which 
office  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  December 
21,  1760  (for  issue  see  Coll.  R.  I.  Hist.  Soc.  III., 
310). 

iii.  Mary,  born  December  10,  1713;  married  Ebenezer 
Flagg;  died  May  21,  1781. 

iv.  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  19,  1715;  died  Aug.  27,  1717. 

V.  Amy,  born  July  21,  1717;  married  Samuel  Vernon, 

of  Newport,  R.  L,  and  died  Jan.  17,  1792.  (The 
geologist  and  author,  Clarence  King,  is  descended 
from  her). 


:.  A prominent  member  of  the  Newport  Seventh-day  Baptist  Church.  Editor. 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD.  93 

vi.  Isabel,  born  Sept.  19,  1719;  married  Huxford  Mar- 
chant,  and  died  at  Newport,  Feb.  5,  1808. 

vii.  Hannah,  born  Sept.  24,  1721;  died  Dec.  27,  1783; 
unmarried. 

viii.  John,  born  Aug.  4,  1723;  died  Aug.  15,  1724. 

ix.  Samuel,  (5),  born  May  27,  1725;  died  March  26, 
1776. 

X.  Mercy,  born  June  3,  1727;  died  Oct.  25,  1730. 

xi.  Margaret,  born  April  14,  1729;  married  Col.  Samuel 
Freebody,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  Jan.  i,  1765;  died 
June  27,  1765. 

xii.  Richard,  born  Jan.  22,  1730;  died  Aug.  7,  1732. 

xiii.  Henry,  born  Dec.  27,  1732;  married  Esther 

(daughter  of  Thomas)  Freebody,  of  Newport,  suc- 
ceeded his  brother  Thomas  as  Secretary  of  State, 
which  office  he  held,  by  successive  annual  re-elec- 
tions, until  his  death,  Nov.  25,  1797,  at  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  leaving  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Dr.  Pardon  Bowen,  of  that  city. 

xiv.  Elizabeth,  born  June  6,  1735;  married  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Bliss, 1 of  Newport,  and  died  in  1815,  without 
issue. 

5.  (Gov.)  Samuel  Ward  was  born  May  27,  1725,  at 
Newport,  R.  I. ; was  Chief  Justice  in  1761 ; and  Governor  of 
the  Colony  from  1762  to  1763,  and  from  1765  to  1767.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1774,  and  from 
1775  to  1776,  constantly  presiding  in  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  which  sat  daily.  Many  of  his  letters  are  printed  in 
the  sixth  and  seventh  volumes  of  Rhode  Island  Colonial 
Records,  with  a biographical  sketch.  His  life  by  William 
Gammell,  is  given  in  the  ninth  volume  (new  series;  nine- 
teenth, old  series)  of  the  Library  of  American  Biography 
conducted  by  Jared  Sparks.  He  married  Anne  (daughter 
of  Simon)  Ray,  of  Block  Island  (also  a lineal  descendant  of 
Roger  Williams),  December  20,  1745.  He  died  of  small-pox 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  26,  1776.  His  tombstone,  at 
Newport,  was  erected  by  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  and  the 
inscription  was  written  by  John  Jay.  His  wife  died  at  West- 
erly, R.  I.,  December  3,  1770,  in  the  43d  year  of  her  age. — 
Children: 

i.  Charles,  born  1747,  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary Army,  died  unmarried. 


I.  For  many  years  pastor  of  the  Newport  Seventh-day  Baptist  Church.  Editor. 


94 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


ii.  Hannah,  born  April  12,  1749,  died  unmarried  1774. 

iii.  Anna,  born  Aug.  24,  1750,  married  Ethan  Clarke, 

and  died  1790. 

iv.  Catharine,  born  Oct.  2,  1752,  married  Christo- 

pher Greene  (brother  of  Gen.  Nathanael  Greene), 
and  died  1781,  leaving  tv/o  daughters,  of  whom 
Anna  married  Wm.  P.  Maxwell,  and  died  Nov. 
9,  1857,  aged  81. 

V.  Mary,  born  Dec.  5,  1754,  died  1832,  unmarried. 

vi.  Samuel  (6),  born  Nov.  17,  1756,  died  Aug.  16,  1832. 

vii.  Deborah,  born  Oct.  12,  1758,  became  the  second 

wife  of  Christopher  Greene,  Vv^ho  had  married  her 
sister  Catharine,  and  died  in  1835,  at  Potowomut, 
R.  I.  Their  son,  Richard  Ward  Greene,  born  Jan. 
21,  1792,  became  Chief  Justice,  Rhode  Island, 
and  died  March  14,  1875. 

viii.  Simon  Ray,  born  Oct.  4,  1760,  Vvas  a Lieutenant  in 

the  Revolutionary  Navy;  married  Sarah  Gardner, 
and  died  of  yellovv^  fever  in  the  West  Indies,  about 
1790,  leaving  two  daughters. 

ix.  John,  born  July  26,  1762,  married  Elizabeth  (daugh- 

ter of  Dr.  Ephraim)  Bowen,  of  Providence,  and 
died  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September,  1823,  with- 
out issue. 

X.  Richard,  born  in  1764,  miarried  Eliza  (daughter 
of  Joseph)  Brown,  of  Providence;  where  he  died 
in  October,  1808,  v/ithout  issue, 
xi.  Elizabeth,  born  1766,  died  at  Warv/ick,  R.  I., 
1783,  unmarried. 

6.  (Lt.-Col.)  Samuel  Ward  w-as  born  Nov.  17,  1756, 
at  Westerly,  R.  I.  He  was  married  March  8,  1778,  to  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Governor  William  and  Catharine  Ray  Greene, 
of  Rhode  Island,  the  latter  a daughter  of  Simon  Ray,  and 
noted  as  the  witty  correspondent  of  Beniamin  Eranklin.  He' 
died  in  New  York  Gity,  August  16,  1832.  His  wife,  born 
March  20,  1760,  at  Warwick,  R.  L,  died  October  ii,  1828. — 
Children: 

i.  William  Greene,  born  April  i,  1779,  at  Warwick, 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


95 


R.  L;  died  Aug.  17,  1798,  in  New  York,  of  yel- 
low fever. 

ii.  Samuel,  born  Jan.  23,  1781 ; died  Nov.  13,  1785- 

iii.  Henry,  born  Dec.  15,  1782;  died  Sept.  3,  1783. 

iv.  Henry  (7),  born  Mar.  17,  I7^4>  died  July  26,  1838. 

V.  Samuel  (8),  born  May  i,  1786;  died  Nov.  27,  1839. 

vi.  Anne  Catharine,  born  Aug.  15?  17^^’  Sept. 

14,  1837,  unmarried. 

vii.  Phebe,  born  July  17,  i79i>  Providence,  R.  I. , 

died  at  Jamaica,  L.  L,  April  22,  1825,  unmarried. 

viii.  Richard  Ray  (9),  born  'in  New  York  City,  Nov. 

17,  1795;  died  there  Dec.  8,  1873. 

ix.  John  (10),  born  Oct.  26,  1797,  and  died  March  31, 

1866. 

X.  William  Greene  (ii),  born  Aug.  7,  1802,  and  died 

July  22,  1848,  in  New  York- City. 

7.  Henry  Ward,  born  March  17,  1784^  was  married  Sept. 
2,  1818,  to  Eliza  Hall  (a  daughter  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Hall,  of 
Pomfret,  Conn.,  and  Bathsheba  Mumford,  of  Newport,  R. 
L,  and  a grand-daughter  of  Rev.  David  Hall,  D.  D.,  of  Sut- 
ton, Mass.,  and  Elizabeth  Prescott,  of  Concord,  Mass.,  the 
latter  a great-grand-daughter  of  Peter  Bulkley,  the  founder 
of  Concord,  and  famous  in  Cotton  Mather’s  Magnalia,  who 
was  born  Jan.  31,  1583,  and  died  March  9,  1659).  Henry 
Ward  had  a great  talent  for  music.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  in  New  York.  He  was  engaged 
in  business  in  New  York,  and  died  in  that  city,  July  20,  1838. 
His  wife,  who  was  noted  for  a remarkable  talent  for  painting, 
intellectual  power,  and  great  benevolence,  was  born  Nov.  3O5 
1789,'  and  died  in  New  York  City,  March  17,  1872.  Only 
son:  Henry  Hall  Ward,  born  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
April  19,  1820;  was  graduated  at  Columbia  College  in  1838; 
was  a partner  of  Messrs.  Ward  & Company,  bankers.  New 
York;  President  of  the  New  York  Club;  Treasurer  of  the 
New  York  State  Society  of  Cincinnati;  a Knight  Templar  in 
the  Masonic  Order;  and  Senior  Director  of  the  National  Eire 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York.  He  inherited  his  father’s 
great  musical  talent.  Died  at  Saratoga  Springs,  Aug.  27, 
1872. 


96 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


8.  Samuel  Ward  was  born  May  i,  1786.  He  went  into 
business  in  New  York  City,  and  became  a partner  of  Mr. 
Prime,  in  1808.  The  firm  of  Prime,  Ward  & Sands  (after- 
wards Prime,  Ward  & King)  became  very  celebrated.  In 
October,  1812,  he  married  Julia  Rush,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Cutler,  of  Jamaica  Plains,  Mass.,  (sister  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Benj.  Cutler,  of  St.  Ann’s  Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  a 
relative  of  Gen.  Francis  Marion,  of  Revolutionary  fame). 
His  wife  died  Nov.  ii,  1824.  In  1828  he  exerted  himself  to 
procure  a building  for  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  In 
1830,  he  was  very  active  in  founding  the  New  York  Univer- 
sity. He  became  President  of  the  City  Temperance  Society 
in  1831,  and  in  1836  assisted  in  founding  the  Stuyvesant  In- 
stitute. After  the  financial  crisis  of  1836-37,  the  Bank  of 
England,  wishing  to  assist  the  New  York  City  banks  in  re- 
suming specie  payment,  confided  a loan  of  nearly  five  millions 
of  dollars  gold  to  the  firm  of  Prime,  Ward  & King,  a re- 
markable sign  of  confidence.  Soon  after,  Samuel  Ward  be- 
came President  of  the  Bank  of  Commerce,  in  New  York. 
He  had  a fine  gallery  of  paintings  in  his  residence,  corner  of 
Bond  Street  and  Broadway,  New  York.  He  died  Nov.  27, 
1839,  respected  and  esteemed  by  all. — Children: 

i.  Samuel  Ward,  born  in  New  York  City,  Jan.  28, 

1814,  was  graduated  at  Columbia  College,  1831, 
was  formerly  a banker,  lately  a diplomatist  and 
poet ; author  of  ‘‘Lyrical  Recreations married 
first,  Emily,  daughter  of  William  B.  Astor.  [Their 
surviving  child,  Margaret  Astor  Ward,  married 
John  Winthrop  Chanler.]  Married  second,  Me- 
dora  Grymes. — Children: 

1.  Samuel,  died  in  1866. 

2.  Randolph  G.,  died  in  1864. 

ii.  Julia,  born  January,  1816;  died  in  infancy. 

iii.  Henry,  Jr.,  born  in  1818,  was  graduated  at  Columbia 

College,  1836;  died  in  New  York,  1840. 

iv.  Julia,  born  in  New  York,  May  27,  1819,  married 

Dr.  Samuel  G.  Howe,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1843. 
She  is  the  gifted  authoress  of  “Passion  Flowers,” 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


97 


“The  Battle  Hymn  of  the  Republic,”  and  many 

other  works. — Children: 

1.  Julia  Rom  ana  Howe,  married  Michael  Anagnos. 

2.  Florence  M.  Howe,  married  David  P.  Hall. 

3.  Henry  M.  Howe,  married  Fanny  Gay. 

4.  Laura  E.  Howe,  married  Henry  Richards. 

5.  Maud  Howe. 

V.  Francis  Marion  was  born  in  August,  1820;  was 
graduated  at  Columbia  College,  1838 ; became  a 
merchant;  died  in  New  Orleans,  September,  1847. 

vi.  Louisa  Cutler  was  born  in  February,  1823,  married 

first,  in  1844,  Thomas  Crawford,  the  celebrated 
sculptor,  who  was  born  in  New  York  City,  March 
22,  1813,  and  died  in  London,  Oct.  10,  1857. — Chil- 
dren: 

1.  Annie  Crawford,  married  Baron  von  Rabe. 

2.  Jane  Campbell  Crawford,  died  unmarried. 

3.  Mary  Crawford,  married  Hugh  Fraser. 

4.  Francis  Marion  Crawford. 

She  married  second,  in  1862,  Luther  Terry,  artist, 
of  Rome,  Italy. — Children:  Margaret  Terry  and 
Arthur  Noel  Terry. 

vii.  Ann  Eliza  was  born  Nov.  2,  1824,  married  Adolphe 

Mailliard,  in  1846;  now  of  San  Rafael,  Cal. — Chil- 
dren: 

1.  Louise  Marguerite  Mailliard. 

2.  Joseph  Mailiard,  died  young. 

3.  Cora  Mailliard. 

4.  Joseph  Mailliard. 

5.  John  W.  Mailliard. 

9.  Richard  Ray  Ward,  born  in  New  York  City,  Nov. 
17,  1795,  became  a lawyer  in  New  York.  He  was  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  from  1823, 
and  was  noted  for  antiquarian  research.  He  married  Ger- 
trude Eliza  (daughter  of  Edward)  Doughty,  of  New  York, 
November  3,  1835.  She  died  May  21,  1859.  He  died  in  New 
York  City,  Dec.  8,  1873. — Children: 

i.  Gertrude  Ray,  married  Dr.  Bethuel  L.  Dodd,  of 

Newark,  N.  J.,  County  Physician. — Children: 
Edward  Lewis  and  Annie  May. 

ii.  Annie  C. 


98 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


10.  John  Ward,  born  Oct.  26,  1797,  in  New  York  City; 
was  brought  up  principally  at  East  Greenwich,  R.  I. ; went 
into  business  in  New  York,  in  1818,  in  the  office  of  Messrs. 
Nevins  & Towsend.  In  1824,  he  founded  the  firm  of  John 
Ward  & Co.  (Changed  to  Ward  & Co.,  in  1847). 

for  many  years  Vice  President,  and  from  1832-34,  President 
of  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange,  (his  portrait  by  Wenzler, 
is  still  preserved  in  their  building),  and  died  March  31,  1866, 
in  New  York  City.  He  was  greatly  respected  as  an  able  finan- 
cier, and  a man  of  sterling  integrity. 

11.  William  Greene  Ward  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  Aug.  7,  1802.  He  was  brought  up  at  East  Greenwich, 
R.  L,  and  at  Jamaica,  L.  I.  He  went  into  business  in  New 
York  City,  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  John  Ward  & Co., 
and  displayed  unusual  business  capacity.  He  was  noted  for 
his  excellent  judgment  of  men  and  affairs.  His  energy  was 
indomitable.  He  married  Abby  Maria  (daughter  of  Dr. 
Jonathan)  Hall,  of  Pomfret,  Conn.,  (a  sister  of  Mrs.  Henry 
Ward,  and  of  the  late  eminent  lawyers,  Jonathan  Prescott 
Hall,  and  David  P.  Hall),  Nov.  17,  1830.  His  wife  was  born 
March  6,  1802.  Another  of  her  sisters  was  the  late  Miss 
Anne  Hall,  the  artist,  several  of  whose  miniatures  rival  those 
of  Malbone  and  Isabey.  Wm.  G.  Ward  died  in  New  York, 
July  22,  1848. — Children: 

12.  i.  William  Greene  Ward,  born  in  New  York  City, 

July  20,  1832,  was  graduated  at  Columbia  Col- 
lege, 1851 ; is  a banker  of  the  firm  of  Ward  & Co. ; 
was  in  United  States  service  as  Lieut.-Colonel, 
Twelfth  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  M.,  from  April  19 
to  Aug.  4,  1861 ; was  Colonel  of  same  regiment  in 
United  States  service  from  May  31  to  Oct.  8,  1862; 
participated  in  the  defence  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  and 
was  paroled  at  its  surrender.  Sept.  15,  1862,  ex* 
changed  Jan.  ii,  1863;  again  in  United  States  ser- 
vice as  Colonel  of  same  regiment  from  June  17  to 
July  22,  1863,  being  in  Dana’s  Division,  and 
Couch’s  Corps,  in  the  Pennsylvania  campaign.  He 
partly  invented,  and  greatly  improved,  the  Ward- 
Burton  breech-loading  rifle.  He  is  Brigadier-Gen- 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


99 


eral,  First  Brigade,  ist  Div.,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  Mar- 
ried Emily  Graham  (daughter  of  John  L.)  Mc- 
Knight,  of  Bordentown,  N.  J.,  June  17,  1857. — 
Children: 

1.  Maria  Emily  G.  McK.,  born  Oct.  4,  1863. 

2.  Leila  Eliza  Prescott,  born  May  27,  1867;  died 

March  23,  1868. 

3.  Caroline  Constantia,  born  April  12,  1869. 

13.  ii.  Charles  Henry  Ward,  born  in  New  York  City, 

Oct.  17,  1833,  was  graduated  at  Columbia  College, 
1851 ; is  a banker  of  the  firm  of  Ward  & Co. ; has 
much  taste  for  literature  and  art.  Married  Emily 
Montagu  (daughter  of  Eleazer)  Family,  April 
13,  1857. — Children: 

1.  Charles  Montagu,  born  June  16,  1858. 

2.  Francis  Ehrick,  born  Feb.  24,  i860. 

3.  Julia  Prescott,  born  Jan.  23,  1862;  died  Jan.  ii,  1864. 

4.  Louisa  Hall,  born  April  4,  1864. 

5.  John  Prescott,  born  April  26,  1866;  died  March 

27,  1868. 

6.  William  Frederick,  born  April  26,  1866. 

7.  Henry  Marion,  born  Nov.  8,  1870. 

14.  iii.  Anne  Catharine,  born  May  5,  1835 ; died  April 

16,  1840. 

15.  iv.  John,  born  Dec.  26,  1837;  died  Feb.  3,  1838. 

16.  V.  John  Ward,  born  in  New  York  City,  Nov.  30, 

1838,  was  graduated  at  Columbia  College,  1858, 
and  at  Columbia  College  Law  School,  i860,  and 
as  a Doctor  of  Medicine  at  University  Medical 
College,  1864.  In  United  States  service  as  ist 
Lieutenant  and  Captain,  Twelfth  Regiment,  N.  Y. 
S.  M.,  from  April  19th  to  Aug.  4th,  1861,  serving 
in  defence  of  Washington  and  in  Western  Vir- 
ginia; was  Captain  in  same  regiment,  in  United 
States  service,  from  May  31st  to  Oct.  8th,  1862, 
participated  in  the  defence  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  and 
was  paroled  at  its  surrender.  Sept.  15,  1862;  ex- 
changed Jan.  II,  1863;  elected  Colonel  12th  In- 
fantry, N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  Jan.  4,  1867,  and  is  still  in 
command.  Lawyer,  author  of  “Campaigns  of  the 
Twelfth  Infantry,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  1861-62-63,” 


lOO 


GOVERNOR  SAMUEL  WARD. 


and  of  “The  Overland  Route  to  California,  and 
other  Poems,”  etc. 

17.  vi.  Prescott  Hall  Ward,  born  Oct.  9,  1841,  was 
graduated  at  Columbia  College  Law  School,  1861 ; 
married  Marian  Poyntell  (daughter  of  George  W.) 
Turner,  July  29,  1863;  died  in  New  York  City, 

Oct.  16,  1870. 


